My Extraordinary Ordinary Life

Help Wanted: American President...apply within

2012-01-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

Could you imagine if applying for every job were as excruciating as the process of "hiring" an American President? We are so quick to believe all the mud slinging and any negative perspective anyone is willing to give about someone else. If we all had to go through a similar experience wouldn't we be more apt to question the nay sayer's in this presidential campaign? Imagine it. You are at your job interview with all the other applicants sitting in front of your potential boss. You & your opponents have lists of...well everyone's life choices, so to speak and you all now have free rein to call out anyone in the room. Comments like, "I don't know if someone who cheated on their 10th grade math test should be in charge of the accounting in this firm" or "Should you really be a grade school teacher? Right here is says that you yelled at your own kid when he had an accident. How do we know you wouldn't do that to a student who makes a mistake?" would be part of the process (on the other hand maybe it would be a great process to use to pick your families physicians or other services). You'd have to be a pretty tough character to even land a job. Don't get me wrong here. I do think that the position of President of the United States needs to be a difficult process. If we just let anyone in we'd be under attack by every nation that hates us because they'd view us as an easy target. It is an important process to our countries success. I'm just glad that I'm not running for president this year. I'm actually glad that I will NEVER be running for president. I don't have too many skeletons in my closet (that I am aware of), but I am sure that I'd find out about them the minute I even consider running. I'll stick to being a mom, president and CEO of my personal domain. That job is big enough for me! Plus Kent is the only one who can fire me and he can't afford my replacement. I'll take that kind of job security.

Braxton's Little Funny Moment

2012-01-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

Conversation between Braxton and I while I work out with The Biggest Loser Boot Camp Video:
Braxton: Come on Mom get up and pick up your weights.
Me (taking a momentary breather): Just a minute Braxton I'm tired.
Braxton: Oh! (momentary pause for thought) The Biggest Loser guys don't get tired.
Me: Thanks Braxton.
Braxton: You're welcome mom.

Joy in our Posterity

2012-01-15T11:02:00.002-07:00

Sunday morning usually finds me in church, but today Cort woke up with a cough and Kent and I felt it was best to keep him home. Still that usually lands Kent at home & me at church, but something in me felt like I needed to be home. So far I feel it was the right decision. I turned on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day the broadcast had some great southern gospel music. I couldn't help myself but to get up and sing and dance with Cort. His little laugh and his delight at the interaction was the most beautiful music to my soul. I don't think we take the opportunities for those moments often enough...at least I know I don't. Maybe I needed to stay home today so I could remember that even church can be wrong if you aren't taking that time for your family. Don't get me wrong. I love church and think it is a very important part of a souls spiritual development, but no amount of sacrament meetings, relief society meetings, or even temple attending will strengthen your bond with your child like living, loving and laughing with them. It's those moments that shape children into confident and secure adults who will make a healthy America. Maybe what I am saying is never let your testimony get in the way of true religion. Yes God wants us to take time to worship Him and serve him, but he does not want us to do it at the expense of taking care of the children He has blessed us with. When you take time to be with you children in an atmosphere of love you really can have "joy in your posterity."

2012-01-03T21:08:00.001-07:00

Today I was slowed down a little by well who knows what. I had achy bones & muscles, chills & my bowels weren't doing so well so to speak. At first it was a little frustrating, but in the end I am really glad to be sick. I know, 'what are you talking about?' Hear me out. Usually when I am sick I would lay on the couch and watch TV, but I parked myself on the couch in the front room and I did not want to move. So instead of TV I got to spend the whole afternoon with my boys. I wish I would do this more often. I read books with Braxton, sang songs to Cort that made him laugh, and I took the time to mark Braxton's new calendar with all the important dates.

At one point Braxton was giving me a good hug & telling me how much he loves me. I told him how happy that made me because when he was a little bit older than Cort he liked his daddy SO much that he didn't seem to like me too much. His response to that make me laugh just a little. He told me, "When I was in your belly then I came out and I wasn't nice. Then my dad gave me a blessing and I was nice. When Cort was a baby and came out he wasn't nice and then dad gave him a blessing and he was nice again." What a sweet little boy!

At another point I was telling him about veterans day and that his grandpa (my dad) is a veteran and what that means. I then told him that after his grandpa lived in Turkey that he came back home and went to college and met his grandma and thought she was so pretty he wanted to marry her, but she wasn't sure so he went on a mission and then when he came home they got married. Braxton then told me that when he gets big like his dad he'll go on a mission, and then he and Baylee can get married in the temple like me and his dad. I have to admit that I love being a mom to a 5-year-old. I have very few complaints and the complaints I do have are very minimal.

Cort on the other hand...it is a really good thing that kid is so stinking cute. He truly climbs on everything! The kid is determined to be on top of everything and don't bother with trying to keep something he wants away from him. If he wants it he is determined to get it. I sure do love that kid though. He is such a happy little boy. He LOVES people! It is so much fun to watch him grow and learn.

I am not 5-years-old...I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!!!

2011-12-31T04:44:00.000-07:00

It it 4:19 am...no lie, check the time stamp on the post. Well, it may say when I actually finish and hit the publish button, but believe me it is 4:19 am. Why am I blogging at 4 am you ask? Well let me tell you (Oh yeah warning, this is a complaining post btw). My friend Kristen & her neighbor Donna go running every Saturday morning at 5 am. A LONG time ago they invited me to go with them. While I am NOT a morning person I have wanted to go with them, but just about EVERY Saturday morning at about 5 am Kent is getting out of bed to go to work so going running is not an option. Well this week Kent has been "on vacation" from Midgley so I told Kristen that I would go running with them. Last night I tried to get to bed at a good time, but I'm just not used to an early bed time & I always struggle with going to bed early because I feel like there is so much I have to do before I go to bed. Finally I tucked myself into bed and then the winds started up. Crazy fast winds that make you nervous that the roof is going to blow off. I texted Kent, from bed, to ask if the new playhouse would be ok since it hasn't been anchored down with sand. He checked on it & said it was fine. So finally about 12 or 12:30 am...ish I got to sleep. That doesn't leave a whole lot of time for sleeping when you're planning on waking up at 4:40 am. Well just before 4 am Kent's alarm goes off and he tells me, "there's your alarm babe." I'm thinking, "WHAT? My Alarm? That was your phone. I have my very own alarm and I set it for when I need to wake up. I am a big girl I don't need your alarm. I'm going back to sleep." That would have worked, maybe, if Kent hadn't hit snooze. Five minutes later his alarm goes off again and by this point I am so annoyed that there is no way I am going to fall back asleep. So I throw back the covers, jump out of bed and head for the bedroom door when I hear, "good luck babe." I know that he is trying to be a helpful and supportive husband. I get that, but seriously, I am not a 5-year-old. I don't need help getting up when I am already so nervous about waking up in time that I can't even sleep. AGHHHH! So what am I supposed to do for 45 minutes while I am ready to go & waiting for them to come get me? Fine I'll complain on my blog because there isn't enough room for this on facebook & no one else is up to listen to me at 4 am. The worst part is as I sit down here & blog I keep hearing alarms go off. Either turn the alarm off and go to sleep or turn it off & get up but you don't need it to keep going off. I'M UP!!!!! UGH! Ok now that I have that out of my system and in cyberspace never to be recalled so it can be used as evidence against me in the courts of heaven (note that I am diffusing my anger so that, hopefully, I don't take it on my run with my thank you). I am a married woman I have the right to be bugged every now & then. Ok now I am going to go find a quick project to do for the last 15-20 minutes before I go for my run. Wish me luck that I don't blow away before the storm hits. :)

LOVE my husband!

2011-12-26T23:32:00.001-07:00

I am trilingual in love languages. My main love language is Quality Time, my secondary love language is Words of Affirmation, and my last language is Physical Touch. Well it's very hard to communicate love through physical touch if you are not physically together. That rules out one love language. Kent is also NOT a Words of Affirmation kind of guy. Kent will not give you fluffy happy comments to make you feel good so my love language is usually not filled by that. That leaves us with Quality Time but when you husband works a ton he usually doesn't have a ton of energy to do things with the family when he is home. Having said all this I am in LOVE with my husband this week. I got most of his time on Friday. All of his time on Saturday. The majority of the day on Sunday and all day today. Spending time with him makes me want to make more money so I can pay him to stay home. Being with him let's me know how much I miss him when he's gone, but for now I am sure happy to have a full love bucket. I wish you all a full bucket too!

Love,

Marlies

Santa Found our New House...

2011-12-25T22:52:00.000-07:00

Christmas day is here and gone and all in all it has been a nice day. As excited as I was about Christmas morning it sure started off for me with a struggle. Around 3 am I woke up to Cort crying. I went in to check on him & pulled the blankets up over him and told him to go back to sleep. To my delight he did go back to sleep. Then about 4 am Kent's alarm went off by accident and I was really not happy to be woken up by it. I was able to again fall back asleep until a little before 6 am when I woke up from a dream of me being so angry with Braxton that I dreamed I was yelling at him. At that point I decided it wasn't going to get any better so I may as well get up & try to spend time getting myself ready for church. Maybe working on making myself beautiful on the outside would help to change my inside.

After Kent woke up and we talked for a bit I was feeling better. My morning was totally turned around when I heard Braxton from the top of the stairs say in the most delighted high voice, "Oh (ha ha ha) it's Christmas!" I LOVE that kid. He is so delighted by the smallest things. He was enjoying going through everyone's stocking to inform us all of what Santa had brought us. He then enjoyed searching through the presents reading all the names on the packages, handing out gifts, and opening them.

We all made out like bandits this year. Kent got new shoes, a space heater, a sleeping bag, a thermos set, child locks for the drawers & cupboards (this was his favorite stocking stuffer I am sure he he he), & mixed nuts. I got new boots (except when I put them on first thing they broke...SO not happy about that!), running shoes, a new printer/scanner/copier, headphones, jewelry, body spray, new rubbermaid/tupperware type items. Santa brought Braxton a new rocket & a Transformer toothbrush & a Flynn Missile car (cars 2) & from everyone else he got a dresser, a puzzle, some books, a U of U sweatshirt, and a hooded towel . Cort was also on the nice list and received a Hammer Away (boat you hammer balls into), Working Trio (cute Discovery Toys set of three trucks), a new coat, and a hooded towel as well as his first toothbrush. The family got a couple of DVD's.

One of the best gifts ever was from Kent's co-worker Troy. He built a nice outdoor playhouse with his boys when they were younger that as 12 and 14-year-old's they have outgrown. He decided to give it to us (lucky, lucky us!!!). Braxton has already been outside loving his new playhouse. He enjoys playing in it, but I think soon he'll need more friends to play with him in it (hint, hint). As Kent and Troy dropped it off on Friday Troy was telling Braxton he can get his sleeping bag and sleep in there, and he needs cookies and soda to put in the little cupboard. Braxton takes off for a bit and as soon as he is back it is with sleeping bag in tow. After being told he couldn't really sleep out there he ran back in the house to put the bag away and came out asking for cookies. He is such a funny kid. We have really enjoyed this weekend.

It's interesting to me that sometimes we forget that it doesn't take a lot of money to make a happy home. It's those little moments of delight that make us feel that sense of love, security, home & family and those moments are the ones that make life worth living. My hope is that with Kent off of work this week he'll realize the importance of spending time at home with his family. I know he feels the burden of providing for this family, but I believe that if you have priorities straight the finances will always work out in the most miraculous ways. I love my life and as this year comes to a close I feel so abundantly blessed. I have more than my heart could ever want or imagine. Merry Christmas to all of my friends & family and a Happy New Year too!
Love,
Marlies

2011-12-14T23:36:00.001-07:00

Top ten signs there is a 1-year-old in your house...

10. Baby gates are camping out in front of the stairs.
9. Anything that can be used as a latter or stool is hidden somewhere where a child can not use it as a latter or
stool.
8. Garbage can is sitting upon a bucket in order to keep its contents secure inside the receptacle.
7. You can never find what you are looking for because the baby has found a new place to store it.
6. No need to bother with cleaning the floors the baby will find anything you happen to miss.
5. Somewhere there is a diaper bin making a fabulous collection.
4. Any drawer not latched has had it's contents removed and dumped on the floor...10 times a day.
3. Bathroom door is constantly closed...
2. Actually any door that can be closed is!
1. Your Christmas tree is only decorated from 4' tall & up.

End of 2011 Review

2011-12-08T17:30:00.001-07:00

Well here we are nearing Christmas and the New Year and I am finding that I haven't written this year like I want to. While this year is very eventful there are only a few very big events and that is about it. This last year has been wonderful! With the new addition of Cort to our family in 2010 I can honestly say that I enjoyed Cort's first year much more than I imagined. I guess there is something to say for having been there before. While having a baby in November wasn't the best timing with a toy business I have to admit I loved every minute of being home during the holidays with a new baby. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was just a nice time of year to be slowed down.

After a few months of having my boys crowded in their bedroom I realized it was time for our family to move on. After prayer and inspiration I knew it was time for us to look at buying our first home. It was a long process that started in February in Utah County and happily ended in West Jordan in July. It has been a wonderful experience working with my cousin (our Realtor) and having that confirmation that the Lord is aware of us and our needs and He can make even the smallest details work out for us. The only thing the Lord didn't give me was the extra

50 sq. feet I asked for. I think that was just His
sense of humor. When I struggle to adjust to this new area I take comfort in knowing that this really is where the Lord wanted us to be.

Just before the move Braxton graduated preschool. He had his 5th birthday. He also learned to ride a two-wheel bike without training wheels and started T-ball for the first time. He has had a great summer!

It's amazing how quickly kids grow up. This fall was the start of his first year in grade school and he has loved Kindergarten. He has the best teacher. I have enjoyed being his room mom and getting to go help in his classroom for the holidays.

The next big highlight of 2011 was in July I took my first trip to the Discovery Toys convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a blast and I learned so much about how to better my business and myself. I love being a mom, but it really was nice to take a weekend to be called by my first name...it's Marlies, by the way. It even helped Kent and I to have a better understanding of each others roles. It was nice for him to understand the frustrations of sitting at home waiting for someone to get home while dealing with two kids and for me to understand how hard it is to hurry to get home when someone is waiting.

In August Braxton, Cort, and I ended up on an
impromptu trip to see my friend Becca in Mesa, Arizona. Her friend, Amy from Riverton, was headed there and she allowed me to go with her on the trip. While I enjoyed seeing a new place I think I would like it SO much more when the temperature isn't above 100 degrees. That trip has since helped me stop begging Kent to move to Arizona when the snow flies. Now I just think I'd like to start vacationing there in the winter. :)

In November we celebrated Cort's first birthday. I still can't believe he's one year old. It's amazing to me still that he was climbing stairs at 8 months and just before his birthday he felt it was time to get up and start walking. He's even getting really good at walking now. He is so much fun. He loves to growl with us for fun and he's even starting to try to talk. He says, Da Da Da all day long. He'll now say yeah and he loved to make a Ba ba ba sound. He gives Braxton the best hugs. It's fun to see their friendship grow and develop. He LOVES pushing anything he can around on the floor. That includes cars, bottles, cookware, hot pads, etc. He is one happy baby. I swear that he thinks we go to church or the store so other people can see him. I don't ever remember Braxton being this social. I love it.

All in all we are well and enjoying life in the new house. I hope for Kent to find a Saturday at some point in his life to help me with some home improvement projects, but for now I may have to make do or do it myself. I'm still debating which way to go. With managing a household, taking care of children and running a business I am finding myself pretty busy. I'm secretly looking forward to winter coming because maybe we'll all slow down just a little for a month or two...maybe. I look forward to starting the new year and hope to share a little more of my life in my blog next year than I have this year. For now I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love, Marlies

I just love this look on his face. ha ha ha

50 Things I am Thankful for...

2011-11-25T20:41:00.001-07:00

1. My relationship with my Heavenly Father
2. My Savior Jesus Christ who atoned for all my sins & transgressions who has endured all my challenges & struggles so he can know how to help me.
3. My loving husband who works so hard for our family.
4. Kent's employment that has been secure for so many years now.
5. Braxton and his sweet & willing spirit whose desire is to listen & obey.
6. Cort and his little cheeky smile that almost keeps him out of trouble.
7. The parents who raised me well & did their best despite their shortcomings & imperfections.
8. My brother Brian & my ability to understand that even though he may pretend to be hardened & calloused he really cares about his family & wants so much for us to succeed.
9. My sister Cheryl who is willing to listen to me anytime I need a big sister or a best friend to talk to.
10. My brother Erik who always makes me feel like I it was great to have me for a big sister.
11. My brother Devin who teaches me so much about how to see the best inside of others.
12. My sister Liesel who is always happy & overly willing to help me out whenever I need her.
13. My dad who taught me to love the great outdoors.
14. My mom who taught me how to clean well.
15. My brother-in-law Erik, & my sister-in-laws Shanalea & Mariel.
16. My home that I have waited at least 8 years to own.
17. The heater that was recently purchased for my home.
18. The healthy food on my table every day.
19. My knowledge of the benefits of exercise even when I don't utilize that knowledge.
20. The relationships I have with every one of Kent's family members.
21. The gospel of Jesus Christ that has been restored to the earth & my knowledge of it.
22. The scriptures that have been saved for our time.
23. Personal prayer & revelation.
24. My hair.
25. My positive self-image especially regarding my body most of the time.
26. Each & every one of my friends
27. Beautiful flowers
28. The beauty of the earth after a fresh snow fall
29. A warm coat to keep me warm in the cold of winter.
30. My clothes
31. Shoes to keeps my feet warm in the winter & cool in the summer.
32. My neighbors & the opportunity I have to get to know them.
33. My ward family & their warmth & acceptance.
34. Having a yard even when I am the only one mowing it.
35. A car to get me where I need to go.
36. My Discovery Toys business that offers me the opportunity to help my family out financially & still have a flexible schedule that allows me to stay home with my boys.
37. The furniture I have.
38. A computer that allows me to stay connected to the world outside.
39. The nice dishes I have for eating Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday.
40. My education
41. My sons education
42. The many tools within my home that I use everyday.
43. The Holy Ghost the leads & guides me through all of the challenging decisions I have to make.
44. A piano in my home & my ability to make music with it.
45. A television that I have to provide entertainment when I want it.
46. The many options I have to choose different stores to shop in.
47. Musical hymns especially the ones that remind us to count our many blessing.
48. Airplanes that allow us to see people far away more often.
49. Beautiful animals that dot the earth & teach us so much.
50. The freedom I have because I live in the United States of America!

Time in the Day

2011-11-13T17:19:00.001-07:00

Apparently I don't have enough time in the day. I find that as much as I want to sit down & blog it is at the end of a long to do list & I just don't have it in me to sit down & write like I'd like to after everything else is done. So this post is going to have a lot of pictures from the last 6 months...or maybe the past year since I just checked and saw the last time I really posted pictures was a year ago. :( I hope you enjoy!

For Braxton's 5th birthday we had a pirate water party

Elijah & Noah gave him connect 4

Bailee gave him a super race car

Dylan gave him a pirate ship

Hyrum gave some books & a nerf gun

We didn't want a ton of toys at our house so we invited his close friends to the first part & invited the apartment friends to join in for cake & ice cream as well as a water fight.

Kent brought home his pressure washer & the kids had a great time getting him wet.

Somer Davidson took care of Cort while I took pictures...

...and joined Kent in the fun.

We were all pretty wet.

Chooche had a BIG water gun

Ikaikah gave Braxton a transformer after the water fight

I made a treature map for the kids to find the treasure at the beginning of the party.

On the way home from Fish Lake we saw this cool Mater in Salina (I think)

July 2, 2011 We purchased our first home. It has been a great place to live so far!

The proud occupant

Braxton's challenge has been to keep himself out of the water

The end of July I had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas for the first time with the Discovery Toys Summit. These are the ladies from our team.

We stayed at the Rio. This was one of the cool light fixtures.

The Venetian was an amazing hotel

Posing at the Venetian

A river on the 2nd floor? Crazy cool.

Michelle & I feeling good

Not sure what our pose is

Cool sights

Leslie, Dawn & I ran into Whoopi.

The Belagio is by far my FAVORITE part!

Glass ceiling

Amazing indoor garden...I can't want to come back with Kent.

My cute baby

Told you he was cute

Braxton & Cort love this game

Nice brothers

This year Braxton started Kindergarten.

I'm still amazed that I have a 5-year-old...even if he does think he's 6.

Itchin' to go in

First in line for class

Our friend Kristen invited us to go check life sized cars characters so we posed the kids with the big truck

As part of the fun there was a bounce house.

First Halloween this year Braxton was OB Wan Kanobi

Many of the teachers at the school dressed up as Minions with the principle as the guy with the Minions
(don't recall his name)

Apparently the 6th graders perform Michael Jackson's Thriller every year & these guys did a great job!

Refiner's Fire

2011-10-23T16:16:00.000-06:00

If you don't recognize the format of your blog it may be a sign that you haven't taken the time to blog about your life in a VERY very long time. One of these days I will get pictures up of my family & my house, but for now I am just happy to be writing. It is amazing to me how much a person can grow in a matter of about 4 months. I feel like the last 4 months I have been through the refiner's fire & I am fairly certain I am not done. From family drama that could only be solved through time & the gracious atonement of Jesus Christ to moving into a new house & feeling the terrible pangs of loneliness I feel it is my time to learn & grow.

I have learned that sometimes people don't want to solve problems. They just want to ignore them. When it comes to relationship problems of this nature there is only one place to turn & that is to the Lord. It had never occurred to me that some answers have to come from the Lord. He & only he can bridge the gap sometimes & take out wedges. I am thankful to the Lord for helping me to feel that peace when I needed it the most.

I am also thankful to know that when I struggle to stay in control of my mind & my thoughts that if I'll ask my Heavenly Father to guide & direct those thoughts that He will. When life feels lonely & you don't know where to find love & happiness ask Him to show it to you & He will help you to see it. When all you can see is pain & heartache He can show you where to look for kindness & love. Not only that, but He has sent wonderful Prophets & Apostles to give us direction in our day when we may face different challenges that no man has ever faced.

I know that my challenges are not over. There is a long road up ahead, but I know that God loves me & He will not ask me to travel that road alone. I have learned through these challenges to cherish my family. I have grown to love my husband more than I ever have before. I love & enjoy my boys even more than I have before. I know that as I climb this mountain before me that I will reach the top stronger & more importantly even closer to God than I have ever been. I know He loves me. He has placed friends in my path who I need now & I am so thankful that they listened when He asked them to serve Him in my behalf. I know that there are only blessings in store for me & my family. I look forward to discovering those blessings as I grow closer to those who are most important in my journey here on earth. I love the Lord & I am thankful He trusts me with life's lessons. Thank you to all of you who have loved me & helped me along my journey of life. I have been amply blessed. In Jesus name, Amen.

Gratitude & Blessings in July

2011-07-31T17:04:00.000-06:00

Fri 1 *I am thankful the house was mostly clean & we were able to get all the walls washed & carpets shampooed before we moved in. I am very thankful for a wonderful dinner with the Lafeens & the Berretts.

Sat 2 *We were blessed with so much help today that it only took us 2 and a half hours to move everything out of the apartment & into my house.

Sun 3 *I'm thankful I was able to overcome my loneliness by playing outside in the backyard with my boys. I was able to get a lot accomplished.

Mon 4 *I am thankful for the miracle of finding my wedding ring.

Tue 5 *I am so thankful for a garage to put my car in & an evening pulling weeds in the flower beds.

Wed 6 *I am grateful for peace & the encouragement of my Discovery Toys family.

Thur 7 *What a blessing to find Chooche's house by "accident" & to have his mom be willing to watch Braxton while I cleaned the apt.

Fri 8 *I was blessed to be able to get Cort to sleep so I could be productive in cleaning the apt.

Sat 9 *I am thankful for the knowledge I had to be able to get my breast milk back.

Sun 10 *I am thankful for an enjoyable Sunday in my new ward. I am thankful for Sister Brimhall & her daughters who made me feel especially welcome.

Mon 11 *I am so thankful for my mom's help cleaning the apt. & that Cort & I were able to get great naps.

Tue 12 *I am blessed to be done with the apartment. I thankful I was able to visit with the neighbors tonight.

Wed 13 *Being able to take Braxton swimming with Brian & Cheryl's families today was such a great joy.

Thur 14 *I am thankful for a helpful boy. I am also thankful for vacuumed carpets, Cort nursing well, & the great dinner I made.

Fri 15 *I am so thankful that Tia was able to come see my house & I was able to make her some dinner in between her games.

Sat 16 *I am full of gratitude that I was able to overcome a possibly discouraging event. I am thankful Cheryl came to the splash pad & we were able to have a great dinner with the Davidsons.

Sun 17 *I am thankful for being able to spend a Sunday in my room recording gratitude & listening to church songs. I am also grateful I was able to enjoy dinner with Brian & Shanalea & their family.

Mon 18 *Thankful for mowing the lawn, a visit to the horses, & getting a party booked.

Tue 19 *I am thankful for a great visit with my new hostess, getting fridges swapped out & learning of ancestors.

Wed 20 *What a blessing to get letters from both JR & Curt with positive words about me when I needed them. I am thankful also for time by myself to clean.

Thur 21 *I am thankful for a blessing from Kent & brownies & a visit from Melanie & Heather.

Fri 22 *What a blessing to have visits from both Jill Allen as well as Jill Washburn. I am also thankful for comfort & help from ancestors & that I was able to fix the disposal.

Sat 23 *I am thankful for the tender mercy's from the Lord allowing me to finally find peace. I am also thankful for uplifting music & lots of exercise.

Sun 24 *Today I needed the thank you that I got from the Sunday School teacher. I enjoyed the visit we had with Sister Deus (Braxton's primary teacher) & her family.

Mon 25 *It was nice to get a thank you from Jack for the cookies today. I am also thankful for a visit from Melanie & good Dt calls. It was great to have Spencer & Tiffani & the kids come up & visit us today.

Tue 26 *I had a great visit with Jamie today. It was so nice to talk to Jay. I enjoyed the summer rain & a good visit with the bishop.

Wed 27 *I am so happy about my full price return at Eddie Bauer so I could purchase new shorts. It was great to visit with Jay. I appreciated the invite from Jen McIllece.

Thur 28 *I am thankful for a safe travel to Vegas, meeting new friends & my knowledge of the gospel.

Fri 29 *I was blessed tonight to be inspired by the helicopters in the desert. I am thankful for a wonderfully delicious dinner.

Sat 30 *I am thankful for great knowledge & education. I am even more grateful I was able to accept & return Pam's phone call.

Sun 31 *I am thankful for a safe drive home from Las Vegas & Kent's willingness to apologize. I am thankful I was able to enjoy my boys & that Kent let me go to Vegas.

Grattitude & Blessings in June

2011-07-17T16:31:00.002-06:00

Thur 30th *I am SO thankful for a great month end with Dt. Also very thankful for an exciting visit with the previous owners about our new house.

Wed 29th *I am thankful for Melissa's help getting so many things boxed up.

Tue 28th *The Lord has blessed us with a miracle of learning that Braxton's friend Chooche is also moving so that we can make sure to keep in contact for their sake. I am thankful we were able to get the papers on the house signed. I am also thankful Kori had a good party today.

Mon 27th *I am thankful I have been able to get lots of packing done.

Sun 26th *I am grateful we can come home & feel like we can be us with out judgement. I am so thankful to be home! I am thankful to hear that everything is ready to go for signing on our home & that Matt still wants to lease our apartment.

Sat 25th *I am thankful that Kevin came into our cabin at the right time to set Kent into the right mindset so we were both able to be adults & try to work out the problems with Brad, & Heather & Pam & Lloyd. I am thankful we were able to enjoy games with Bailey, Kaitlyn & Megan.

Fri 24th *I am thankful for a GREAT run. I am also thankful for a great day fishing & Braxton catching 5 fish with one of them being his first catch. I am thankful I was able to enjoy time with my own little family.

Thur 23rd *I am thankful for Kent's cell phone & the Avon site I found Nikki's phone number on. I am also thankful Braxton did well getting his Kindergarten shots today.

Wed 22nd *I'm thankful I was able to prioritize. I'm thankful Braxton had a great birthday party. I am thankful I was able to have a good laugh due to the ornery Walmart checker's bad attitude.

Tue 21st *I am grateful for a great run & getting the house mostly clean.

Mon 20th *What a blessing that we are going to be able to move into a home that appraises for more than we are purchasing it for. This home is proving to be a great blessing.

Sun 19th *I am thankful for my healthy baby back. I am also thankful Kent was able to check out & find a good camping site for my reunion. I'm thankful for my husband & his understanding. I am thankful for Brenda Van's present for Braxton & our cookies that allowed me to visit with Nate & Tiffancy (what good people).

Sat 18th *I am thankful we made it for Braxton's last T-ball game & that Cort was flexible even though he didn't feel good. I am thankful we had a good turn out to the Holdaway reunion & that I was able to get a pavilion despite no reservations being made.

Fri 17th *I am thankful for a great run & being very productive.

Thu 16th *I am thankful for perseverance & making myself work out.

Wed 15th *I am thankful for a great run with BOTH my boys! I'm overjoyed to finally hear that the bank approved the counter-offer on our house.

Tue 14th *I am grateful for a great visit with Holly & getting in exercise & calls today.

Mon 13th *I am thankful for a nice morning at the park with Dylan, Jamie & Alora.

Sun 12th *I am thankful for Tyson's enjoyable homecoming, a great visit with Kathy & Lloyd & them allowing me to nurse while at dinner. I am also thankful we were able to stop & see Chelsi on the way home.

Sat 11th *What a great day of overcoming! Overcoming my setbacks & running anyway! Overcoming my anxiety over seeing Kent's family & the day ended with a great dinner @ Darcy's.

Fri 10th *

Thur 9th *I am thankful that I had a few people attend my party & that I wasn't sad that it was only a few. I am thankful I was able to come up with a way to help Kent understand how his way of finances is limiting our choices.

Wed 8th *I am grateful for a nice BBQ dinner tonight with the new couples in Apple Honey. I am thankful I had the thought to stop & get buns for dinner tonight instead of waiting for Kent to go get them.

Tue 7th * I am thankful I was able to get all my invitations delivered with out my boys thanks to Melissa.

Mon 6th *I am thankful for a great run & for Jamie letting Braxton play at her house while I ran. I am also thankful for a great visit with Cindy Johnson.

Sun 5th *I am thankful for a spirit filled sacrament meeting. I am also thankful for waking up early & being able to make church early.

Sat 4th *I am thankful I was able to clean the house, enjoy Braxton's T-ball game, & attend an enjoyable birthday party for KC Decker.

Fri 3rd *I am so thankful for a fun date night going to the airport & welcoming Tyson home from his mission.

Thu 2nd *I am thankful for a great conversation with Carrie about using social media for my Dt business. Also for enjoyable visits with Kourtney & Angie.

Wed 1st *I am thankful for a fun night at the Dt meeting & also for an enjoyable play date with Jamie & Brittney & their boys from Braxton's preschool class.

Turning the Other Cheek

2011-07-15T21:16:00.002-06:00

I love people. Perhaps it is a character flaw of mine, but I have always felt empowered by my ability to get along with so many different kinds of people. Over the past 6 weeks or so I have thought about my ability to get along with so many people & recalled their kind words about me. Words like kind, sweet, loving, giving, & caring come to mind. I have never really thought this to be my weakness, but perhaps right now they are a bit of a weakness.

The first week in June I had a thought about asking someone to host a Discovery Toys party for me because they are expecting a new baby this fall. Due to the fact that I have fallen in love with the baby line I thought this would be a great opportunity for her since I couldn't imagine that she would be in a position to purchase luxuries like toys for a new child. In my attempt to share the gifts with this woman it appears that I not only bothered the wrong person with my business, but I stirred up emotional toxins that are so strong they will not go away. I tried everything within me to discuss the issues with this woman & solve the problem, but my phone calls, emails & I'm sure any other contacts I might have attempted were all ignored. When I was finally given the opportunity to confront her not only did she accuse me of causing the problem she passed the problem on to another woman to deal with me. Which has not only stopped us from being able to come to a solution for this problem, but allowed the problem to grow & expand & include another individual.

The advice I was given from the other individual was to leave it alone. Just let it go. The funny thing is that I had tried to address the issue from the start so that it could be swiftly dealt with, miscommunication cleared up & placed behind us both. Now I don't know where to go. I honestly do want to let the issues go & I sincerely believe with time these wounds will eventually be healed, but due to the manner in which they have been handled there will most definitely be scarring. I have prayed & prayed for my Father in Heaven to help me let go, & I wonder if he's tried to help me & I am the one who will not let it go. I don't know which it is. What I do know is that I am quite often not at peace because of the issue. I feel betrayed, hurt, at odds & I don't know what my next move should be. My husband tells me he wants nothing to do with them which would be fine with me if it weren't for the fact that they are indeed family members.

How can this kind of thing happen in a family? How can family be so mistrusting, so dishonest & cold & judgmental? I have always thought that families were here to love & support one another & sadly this particular family member blatantly lied to my face multiple times. She told me of how she & her husband supported us and how happy they were for us to have success in our lives. Yet come to find out time after time she is not honest enough to tell me that she doesn't have any desire to throw a Discovery Toys party for me. Why? Does she think my feelings will be hurt? I don't care. We're talking about a consultant who previous to being a consultant wasn't even allowed to have parties because they caused so much discouragement for me. I am forced to reflect back & ask what else she has lied about. Is there any true depth or substance to the perceived relationship I thought we once had?

I have questioned whether or not to write about this issue because it has caused me such negative feelings, but I feel it is necessary to write these feelings down. Perhaps by writing them it will help me to move on, or maybe by writing them it will help someone else to not feel alone when they are confronted with a similar situation. Maybe I have a need deep down to be validated since no one in the situation ever validated my efforts when walking away & throwing a grow-up fit would have been SO much easier. If nothing else perhaps I need to leave these words so that no matter what happens with this issue & these family members my children know that I am trying to set the best example I can of working problems out instead of allowing a wedge to be created. Life is TOO short to allow problems to continue in families. I guess at this point I have done all that I can. I really do have to just give this problem to the Lord & ask him to take care of this burden for me. Although if you are reading this and you feel so inclined will you please pray for me & my family that we'll be able to have the peace in our home & our minds that we desire? Thank you!

Graitude & Blessings in May

2011-05-31T15:48:00.001-06:00

Mon 30th *I am thankful for getting out of the house & visiting family, my freedom, & Cort finally getting naps in.

Sun 29th *I am thankful to have been able to see where the speakers from sacrament meeting & the music chosen came together perfectly because of revelation. I am also thankful for my ability to be humble when it was needed in my marriage & I'm very thankful for a nap!

Sat 28th *I am SO thankful that Kent's Robison family reunion was a nice one with plenty of sunshine. It was so nice to spend some time with that side of the family.

Fri 27th *I am thankful for a haircut & being able to say to a friend what she needed to hear.

Thur 26th *I'm so grateful for Cort's healthy check-up today, Taking time to write today, Braxton's T-ball game & the use of my arms.

Wed 25th *I am thankful I was able to meet Braxton's preschool friend's mom & that I had the courage to confront Pam. I am very thankful for a mother who was willing to admit to me when she had been wrong & by so doing taught me to use the atonement.

Tue 24th *I thank the Lord for my ability to laugh at ridiculous behavior & for good friends who cared to correct me when I needed correction!

Mon 23rd *So, so, so thankful for my run today!

Sun 22nd *I am so thankful for a Sunday afternoon with no TV!

Sat 21st *I am grateful for my ability to prioritize my day & for great babysitting by Kailee Decker.

Fri 20th *I am so thankful for a fun day at the Baby & Kids Expo with Tia, Kimber & Lucas. I am thankful for the fun opportunity Braxton had to be on TV.

Thur 19th *Today I am thankful for Melissa taking my boys for me.

Wed 18th *I have been blessed by a visit from my sister to bring me my high chair. It was so much fun to show her where my house is.

Tue 17th *I'm thankful for laundry done, bread made & a picked up apartment.

Mon 16th *We have been blessed to have our offer accepted by the bank so we can purchase a great home.

Sun 15th *My family has been blessed with a great ward family who have truly been our family for 8 years. We have also been blessed with so many great friends.

Sat 14th *I am so thankful to have enjoyed Stake Relief Society Conference.

Fri 13th *Today has been good with the beautiful sun, enjoying a day @ the park & enjoying the neighbor kids.

Thur 12th *I am thankful for the sunshine that reminds me that Summer really is on it's way.

Wed 11th *I am thankful for the promptings to take actions in supporting my cousins & my friend accepting the invite to do a party.

Tue 10th *I am thankful to add to my food storage @ the cannery tonight with Kent & the Davidsons.

Mon 9th *I have been blessed with finding energy to get the house clean despite the weather.

Sun 8th *I am so thankful for my great family & a spirit filled Sacrament meeting.

Sat 7th *I'm thankful for a nice day with family @ Ashlyn's baptism & Adam's wife's shower.

Fri 6th *I have been blessed to enjoy a fun night working at the quilting expo & early I was blessed to get the bank to reverse my banking fees and stop them from charging me again.

Thur 5th *I am SO very thankful for the temple & it's ability to make everyone equally yoked.

Wed 4th *I'm so very thankful for the good possibility of finding our new home & a fun Dt meeting that followed.

Tue 3rd *I am thankful for the opportunity to attend stake RS temple night do to a party that needs to be rescheduled.

Mon 2nd *I am thankful to get so much accomplished with my house & my business.

Sun 1st *I'm thankful for a wonderful sacrament meeting. I am thankful that I was able to hear Braxton in the bathroom afterward & help him when he'd had an accident. I am thankful for the death of Osama Bin Ladden's evil influence.

Life Lessons

2011-05-26T10:55:00.002-06:00

Right now I should be doing something else I am sure...but don't all mom's feel that way almost all the time. I think back to the day I used to say to my mom, "I'm bored" and I laugh. If only I was ever honestly bored. If I think I am bored it is only because I am choosing to be lazy because in my world there is always PLENTY to do. There is a house to clean, shopping to do, Discovery Toys calls to be made, church callings to work on, Dr's appointments to take kids to, exercise, goals to accomplish, food to be made & cleaned up...and if ALL those things are done there is the leisure list to work on. I have a piano I'd love to sit down and play and improve those skills. I'd love to make a new quilt for my bed, and if I just want to zone out there is a list a movies I'd like to watch on my DVR. So, yes, there is PLENTY to do.

Right now I think I need to take a moment to reflect on all the learning and growth I have been blessed with over the past few months. I think often of the scripture that says there shall not be room enough to receive it (blessings) and I believe that this is true for me. I have been blessed to have an understanding of myself and my life that I cherish. I love understanding that when I am choosing to have a bad day that it is exactly that, choosing. For the past three days I have had a relationship struggle with some family members that came out of left field. As I have tried to understand why, I have realized that it can be attributed to dishonesty & misdirected comments. I am certain that the person who was dishonest didn't intend to be, and I imagine if I told them they were dishonest they wouldn't see it that way. I know when I have taken it upon myself to spread gossip I have never thought it to be dishonest, but I am learning that it is. I have been lucky to learn through my great friends over the years that if you have a problem with someone you HAVE to take it to them and work it out. When you pass along your concerns to someone else it really just becomes gossip. I will not pretend that I am guiltless concerning gossip, but this week I have felt it damaging effects. I hope that through this experience I can learn to be more careful and guarded with what I say so that my words will not become a dagger in someones back.

Another great lesson I have learned over the past few months is again that of positive mental thinking. I have learned that the minute you allow yourself to get sucked into believing someone else negative perspective that you are allowing yourself to be negative. There really are two sides to every story and you can either choose to believe the best in people or believe the worst, but whatever you choose to believe is what you will see. I'll give you a great example...me. I struggle to keep my life balanced and to focus on the things that are important to me. I am easily sidetracked and I often times don't think things through before I say or do them. I sometimes get caught up in unnecessary tasks and ignore my kids. I sometimes do get gossipy & vent to others. You could easily see me as a scatterbrained woman who doesn't have a clue what she is doing.

On the other hand I am good at following through with my commitments. If you ask me to do something you can most likely plan on me to take care of it. When my kids are in need of my attention I am quick to respond in an appropriate manner. If you need a friend to talk to I am a great listener. I think a lot about life and it's deeper meanings. I am constantly thinking about how to better myself and how to conquer my challenges and achieve my goals. I love the opportunity to make life better in any way and that makes me a positive person. Should you choose to see me in this way you will see the traits of my father in me...my Heavenly Father that is.

I truly believe that there is good in all of us. I want to believe that even the most iniquitous of sinners is just a human spirit longing for love and acceptance who doesn't have the right skills to find it. I love my life. I love my challenges and my trials that help me to grow and be shaped according to what my Heavenly Father wants me to become. I feel like I have been blessed with a knowledge and understanding beyond my years. I am thankful to have been blessed with a wonderful family. Both the one I grew up in as well as the one I am raising. I am also thankful for the lessons I learn from both Kent and my extended families. I am so very thankful that I have been blessed through the years with such good friends who have helped me to become the woman I am. My family set my foundation on the Lord and my friends have helped me to stay on His path. For these and all my blessings I am truly grateful!

Gratitude & Blessings in April

2011-04-30T07:36:00.004-06:00

Sat 30 *I am thankful to know that we have great support in our fight to preserve the family.

Fri 29 *I am thankful that the American Mothers Inc. Dt set up went well. I am also very grateful for a fun date night despite the cold and snowy weather that happened today!

Thur 28 *I am thankful I was able to go for a walk with Heather and Melanie today.

Wed 27 *Today I am grateful for the ability to overcome the ornery and sleep deprived Marlies!

Tue 26 *I am thankful for the three encouraging showing we had today. There may be hope in us finding a house after all. I am also thankful for Cort's little triumph of rolling over for the first time today.

Mon 25 *Today I am thankful I was able to get the whole weeks worth of laundry done after the weekend in Meadow.

Sun 24 *I am thankful for a wonderful RS lesson given by a positive woman who radiates Christ's spirit, named Kathy Burns. I am thankful for Christ's atonement for me and my knowledge of it.

Sat 23 *Today I am so thankful I was able to catch myself and not allow myself to get sucked into my mother-in-law's negativity.

Fri 22 *Today I planned well and was ready to head to Meadow very close to on time. That's overcoming learned habits.

Thur 21 *I am thankful I have Braxton's & Cort's Easter baskets ready to go for Saturday.

Wed 20 *I am thankful I have been able to get the shifts covered for the AMI convention. I'm thankful I was able to get caught up on chores. I am thankful today for playing with Braxton and shopping with Kent.

Tue 19 *I am blessed to have my brother help us with our computer problems & a helpful bank that tracks our purchases.

Mon 18 *I am thankful for the inspiration that has lead me in a new direction.

Sun 17 *I have been blessed by prayer & inspiration. I am also thankful for great conversation with new ward members & a nice day with my family.

Sat 16 *I am thankful we were able to start Braxton in t-ball. I am also thankful for my alone time and being able to run errands with only Braxton.

Fri 15 *Today I am thankful for having fun with Tia and a date night with Kent.

Thur 14 *I am thankful for a productive day with Marsha & a good talk with Leslie. I am also thankful for great help from Kent.

Wed 13 *Tonight I am thankful for late night promptings that kept Kent from feeling I was upset & making it through the day.

Tue 12 *I am so thankful I've renewed my church magazines. I'm also thankful for baseball with Braxton at the park & walking by myself with kids.

Mon 11 *I am thankful I overcame my fear to call Jack & Jill daycare.

Sun 10 *I am thankful for a nice dinner with Brian & Shanalea & the good visit we had with them.

Sat 9 *I am thankful for new cell phones and kids who were good while we bought them. I am also thankful for a good dinner.

Fri 8 *I am thankful I was able to rise above my circumstances today & for great parking.

Thur 7 *I am thankful for my hair cut & getting Braxton to school on time.

Wed 6 *I am so thankful for God's direction in my life when I'm not sure what to do & especially if my decision is wrong.

Tue 5 *I am thankful for my ability to stop my negative thinking.

Mon 4 *I am grateful for spiritual guidance as to how to take care of Cort.

Sun 3 *I am thankful for an ableskiver pan so we could have ableskivers for breakfast & for lunch with friends. I am also thankful for wonderful prophets.

Sat 2 *I am thankful for a nice lunch with Kent's family & for Red Mango with Melissa.

Fri 1 *I am thankful for seeing the picture of a good neighborhood & finally getting a new TV.

Gratitude & Blessings in March

2011-03-31T14:25:00.004-06:00

Thurs 31 *I am thankful for sunshine, a good walk, & productivity. I am also thankful to enjoy the motivation that the show The Biggest Loser gives me.

Wed 30 * I am thankful for the naps I was able to take after a hard night with Cort. I am also thankful for the time I took to sit down with Braxton and read today. I feel blessed to have been able to engage in a text conversation with my sister-in-law Mariel.

Tue 29 * I am thankful for good mental health that allowed me to only be a little discouraged when only one person attended my Mystery Hostess Party. I am also thankful that my guest Marki was so easy to visit with and was willing to sit and get to know me a little bit. I am also thankful for a clean house to enjoy.

Mon 28 * I am thankful I had a good Dr. visit for Cort today.

Sun 27 * We have been blessed with wonderful weather today. I am thankful for a nice walk with my wonderful neighbor Melissa and the opportunity to teach Braxton the scripture stories.

Sat 26 * I am grateful for Somer and Justin who were eager to watch our boys for us while we went on a date for our anniversary tonight. We were blessed to have a nice evening enjoying each other.

Fri 25 * We had an interesting morning driving in the spring snow storm so Braxton could go see Kent at work and help him drive his equipment. I am also thankful for ideas of how to use my old catalogs.

Thur 24 * I am so thankful I was able to get my tax information collected so I we could get our taxes done and have a great return. I feel like I was blessed to be able to organize my time today. I am also thankful Kent and I were able to go get a yummy dinner tonight because of Braxton's friend wanting him to stay longer and his parent being willing to let Braxton say longer.

Wed 23 * I am thankful for the inspiration given in regard to myself and my family that perhaps I can be a better mom if I do work.

Tue 22 * I have been blessed so much with the knowledge of how powerful our minds really are over our reality. I am also thankful for muscle memory so I was able to run more than I had expected to today after a year or more of not running. I am thankful I have been married to my best friend for the past 8 years.

Mon 21 * My mind is continually blessed with words. The words, "Don't tell me why you can't, tell me why you can!" entered my mind the other day and I am thankful for their inspiration today. I am also thankful for the inspiration that I need to begin running again.

Sun 20 * Today I have been blessed to get a good nap and spend time with my family.

Sat 19 * I am thankful for the shifted focus on my business and a great dinner with my friends Ian and Tia and my family.

Fri 18 * I am thankful I was able to empower myself to get out of the house numerous times.

Thur 17 * I am blessed to have the gift of the Holy Ghost who prompted me to take dinner to Jenny again and I am thankful I listened. I am also thankful for great deals at Macey's!

Wed 16 * I am thankful Ian & Tia came down today. It made a dreary day seem bright.

Tue 15 * I have been blessed to get out of the house today thanks to my sister-in-law Tiffani.

Mon 14 * I am thankful for inspiration. I am thankful for dinner with old friends from Oregon & a great talk with my good friend Tia.

Sun 13 * Today we had a wonderful barbecue provided by Kent. I loved enjoying time with my family. I am thankful for the ability I was given to hold my tongue when I needed to while conversing with my husband.

Sat 12 * I am thankful for a great walk to the mall with my family. I am also thankful for the great customer service we got at Eddie Bauer so shopping could be easy. I am also thankful I was able to write my thoughts about Kent and take a minute to appreciate what a great man I married.

Fri 11 * I am thankful for a productive afternoon with Kent and Marsha.

Thur 10 * I am thankful today for the spirit warning me of harm. I am thankful Heavenly Father loves me enough to protect me and my family from possible harm.

Wed 9 * Today I have been abundantly blessed. I had a good talk with Melissa, Kent and I have been blessed with a new insurance plan, Kent came home and straightened the house, and I was able to get out for a bit. It was really nice.

Tue 8 * I am thankful that Braxton's teacher was able to have him ready in time for me to pick him up and head to our appointment.

Mon 7 * I am thankful I was able to sleep in today and be flexible when the storm hit.

Sun 6 * I am so thankful for the talk I was able to have with Kent to understand better how he thinks and sees life so simple. I am also thankful for a nap and time with the Kunz family.

Sat 5 * I am thankful that Kylie's baptism was later than it was planned so that I was able to watch Kent help out the women who were in an accident on the freeway and we were still able to be there in time. I am thankful to have a husband who is so caring and quick to respond to the needs of others.

Fri 4 * I am thankful that I was in a good mood today and I was looking forward to gymnastics before I even got there. I am also thankful I was able to get out and go shopping for an hour without kids.

Thur 3 * I am thankful for great friends who understand when the day isn't going well and that I was able to get a quick break on a stressful day. I am thankful that Cort was able to latch in a side lying position when he was refusing the breast in ever other position.

Wed 2 * I am thankful for a productive day and Macey's letting use my coupons that I had forgotten even after the transaction had been completed.

Tue 1 * I am thankful Kent was able to pick Braxton up from the bus stop and that we were able to go for a walk as a family this afternoon. I am also thankful for humorous texts with Tia.

My Best Friend for 8+ Years

2011-03-22T08:52:00.004-06:00

Eight years ago I married my best friend...

I'm so glad that the father of my two boys is still my very best friend! I love you Kent!!!

The Power of Thought

2011-03-12T15:35:00.003-07:00

They say the having a baby is a wonderful miracle, but what happens when the consequences of that miracle put your mind, your marriage, and your whole world into a state of shock? That is what my life has been for probably the past month. Don't get me wrong. I do love my baby, but as I look back at Braxton's life I have to say that handling him as a baby has been the hardest part of raising him so far. Once we got him to sleep through the night it was mostly smooth sailing. Due to my loss of sleep my mind has been "short circuiting" and I have been back to struggling with some depression. I can't over emphasize the fact that there is literally a moment to moment battle for control of my mind. Interestingly enough I believe this has happened every year at this time for a while now. I have finally recognized that it's not that my husband neglects me or my marriage goes into failure this time of year as I had thought. It's that there is a literal battle for my thoughts.

However, through this struggle I have been blessed. My Heavenly Father has been teaching me every day what the truth was. For some reason when our bodies are the most frail at the end of a long winter our souls are frail as well, or at least mine is. I have realized with that weakness I have allowed Satan to plant thoughts in my mind that should have been discarded immediately. Interestingly enough this understanding has come from the example that was set by a young man I dated in college and his family. It was amazing to me to see a couple who said they had never had to "work" at their marriage. At the time I believed that I would be married to this young man and as we discussed marriage he told me that he and I would have a marriage even better than his parents had. I had not understood that this idea would not happen by magic, but rather through control over our thoughts.

Bryce's parents honestly did have a wonderful relationship. I remember hearing once that his mom after 20+years of marriage still got butterflies when her husband entered the room. A few years into my marriage I thought on this and thought 'yeah right'. Now as I think I realize that the success of their marriage came through the control they had over their thoughts. Of course no one is perfect, but just think if rather than focusing on what our spouse is not doing we should think every day about all the hard work they do to make our families function.

For instance, Kent is one on the hardest workers I know. He pushes himself to keep working even when he is tired and these days even working from early morning to late night and even on 3 hours of sleep. Maybe he's such a hard worker because of all the years that his mom would tell her children how lucky they were that their dad worked so hard for them. On top of all his hard work he never complains when his little baby wakes him up at 3 in the morning. He just tells his boss he'll be in early when his baby wakes him up, and this morning when I was too tired to get up and feed him Kent was more than happy to give him a bottle for me.

It doesn't stop there. The other night we had about 6 inches of snow fall and after completing his second job at about 11 o'clock or so he took the time to think of others and make sure they had cleared walks for in the morning. He is so willing to give to others and when he gets frustrated it's because he doesn't understand why it's so hard for others to give a helping hand as quickly as he does. Yet too often I have allowed Satan to tell me what Kent is not doing and I allow my heart to close off and become selfish and believe that he is not doing near enough to serve me. When it is the exact opposite. Kent is living his life not only in the service of others, but he is working so hard to provide me with the things that I need and allowing me the opportunity to stay home and raise my children.

I have been very blessed to have married such a great man and yet far too often I have allowed Satan to get into my head and convince me otherwise. When I think back to my honeymoon there is a picture of some words I wrote in the sand saying, "Kent is the best husband ever!" Those words may have long washed away, but that doesn't mean that they are any less true. I do have the best husband in the world. As long as I think that and know that and feel that it will continue to be true. I not only have the best husband, but I have the best kids and the best life. I am going to make that my focus and continue to see where my life can only be improved. I have been blessed with wonderful friends in my life. I have a wonderful family. I have been able to live an amazing life that has allowed me to be who I am, and I am thankful to know that I can look myself in the mirror and still like who I see. As long as that is true there is no problem in my life that I can't tackle!

Gratitude & Blessings in February

2011-03-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Mon 28 *I am thankful that Melissa watched Cort for me while I ran some errands. I needed to get out of the house. I am also thankful I was able to run into my old high school friend Joey while I was at Babies R Us.
Sun 27 *I am thankful Kent had the idea to stay home from church and spend time as a family helping the boys get over their colds. I am also thankful Braxton and I were able to get outside and take a walk to get some fresh air.
Sat 26 *I have been blessed to slow down today and spend the day getting my house cleaned and enjoying the day with my boys at home while they work on getting over colds.
Fri 25 *I am thankful for a good relationship with my brother and that his family was so willing to watch my kids today. I am also thankful for the delicious Pear in Gorgonzola Ravoli @ Olive Garden for dinner tonight.
Thur 24 *I am grateful for heartfelt prayer that brings me closer to God and allows me to lay my problems at his feet. I am also thankful for the sweet promptings from the spirit & many phone calls from my husband to make me feel loved.
Wed 23 *I am thankful that Kent and I were able to talk and come to an understanding of one another. I love him and I am thankful for his willingness to work though challenges with me. I am thankful for Cort sharing his first laugh with us on a night we needed to laugh.
Tue 22 *I have been blessed to know that God has living prophets on the earth today who speak to us. I am thankful for my friend who reminded me of Elder Uchtdorf's talk so that I could listed to it when I needed it most. I am also thankful I was able to get extra feedings in for Cort today.
Mon 21 *I am thankful we were finally able to get Braxton's cough under control last night so he could sleep. I am also thankful that he didn't have school so we could allow him to rest today.
Sun 20 *I feel blessed that Kent and I were introduced to the idea of game night so that we could carry it on and enjoy the opportunity to get to know new friends better tonight.
Sat 19 *I am thankful for my brother Devin and my sister Liesel for coming up to watch my kids for gymnastics last night and today while I went to lunch with friends. I am also thankful for a much needed lunch with great friends & a very uplifting conversation about President Uchtdorf's conference talk.
Fri 18 *I am thankful for my cousin helping me to see things from a realistic point of view even though I was resistant to the idea at first.
Thur 17 *I am thankful for friends and family who took the time to be with my on my birthday and who took the time to wish me well on facebook.
Wed 16 *I am thankful that Cort was ok despite his neck being slung forward in the car seat after going out with my cousin Marsha today. I am also thankful for Braxton's good attitude after he lost his balloon.
Tue 15 *I am thankful I was able to get my shopping list finished today so I can be ready for shopping tomorrow.
Mon 14 *I am thankful that even though Kent was scheduled to work tonight things worked out for him to come home & spend time with us on Valentine's Day.
Sun 13 *I am thankful for a good nap today as well as the nice baptism we were able to attend.
Sat 12 *I am thankful for a wonderful family I married into. We had such a good time with Kent's family skating at the pod today in Fillmore.
Fri 11 *I am thankful for a balanced date night tonight. It was really nice to spend the evening with Kent and be able to enjoy visiting with them and still spend time talking with him as well.
Thur 10 *I am thankful that Braxton was able to sleep through Cort's crying last night. I am also thankful for the knowledge and the strength I've had to be able to help Cort learn to soothe himself to sleep.
Wed 9 *I'm thankful that I have found the proper outlet for some of the frustrations I have been having with Discovery Toys. I'm thankful for the revelations that I've been having in that regard.
Tue 8 *I am thankful for the one walk we are going to be able to get in this week.
Mon 7 *I am thankful that I was able to improve my mood despite the difficult night I had with Cort last night.
Sun 6 *I am thankful for the impression to read my patriarchal blessing. What a rich blessing to have a personal scripture to give your life direction.
Sat 5 *I am so thankful I was able to find my old notes on baby sounds so I can test them out even more and maybe be able to help Cort even more with his needs.
Fri 4 *I am thankful I was able to get the bathroom cleaned well. I am also thankful to know that Kent is supporting me in my decisions.
Thur 3 *I am thankful for warm bread I was able to make, time spent playing with Braxton, and a few minutes away getting red mango with Melanie.
Wed 2 *I am thankful that I was able to make my day work despite some set backs. I am also thankful I decided not to rush off to my meeting tonight. It was nice to be at home with my kids.
Tue 1 *I am thankful I have been able to get my shopping list together so I can go shopping tomorrow.

2011 Goals

2011-02-06T18:26:00.002-07:00

This year I have decided to cut down on having so many goals and focus on just a few. They are as follows...

-Drink 4 "water bottles" of water a day. (Sometimes this mean a 32 oz water bottle and sometimes it means a 24 oz)
-Exercise 208 hours this year. That breaks down to 3 days a week the first half and 5 days the second half.
-Lose 40 lbs so that my weight will be 135 lbs. by December 31st.
-Read 4 books this year.
-Read the Scriptures 30 days in a row eight times this year.
-Read the Book of Mormon two times this year.
-Use coupons at least twice a month while shopping.
-Practice the piano for 30 minutes three times a week
-Attend the temple 6 times this year.
-Run a 10K by 10/31/11
-Find 3 3-mile hikes and hike them.
-I am also focusing on having better dental hygiene

Gratitude and Blessings in January

2011-01-31T18:25:00.000-07:00

Mon 31 *I am thankful I have been able to get all my orders in so I don't have to spend the day stressed out at the computer.
Sun 30 *I am thankful for a much needed nap this afternoon. I am also thankful for the idea that I was inspired with that helped me to get the kids to sing really well today.
Sat 29 *I am thankful my younger sister was willing to come babysit and spend some time with us shopping and bowling.
Fri 28 *I am thankful for a fun night at the Gymnastics meet and enjoying really good Mexican while there.
Thursday 27 *I love the blessing of stopping my to do list long enough to realize what is on there that is not necessary. It was much nicer to focus on my family, my household chores, and myself today. I need to listen for the revelation more often.
Wed 26 *I am thankful I was able to get some orders for the Discovery Toys one day sale. I feel blessed to be learning a business can bring.
Tue 25 *I am so very thankful that I was able to realize that I didn't need to be at stake temple night. I feel even more blessed to have felt at peace spending the night with my family and having no guilt about missing it. That is a huge feat for me.
Mon 24 *I am thankful we were able to have a nice evening with my sister and her family for Kent's birthday. It was nice to celebrate his birthday.
Sun 23 *I am thankful for the direct revelations that come from attending stake conference.
Sat 22 *I was blessed to choose to attend the adult session of stake conference even though Kent didn't want to come with me. I was also blessed that he was willing to keep both of the boys home with him.
Fri 21 *I'm thankful that I have many options when it comes to places to shop. Especially when shopping for clothes.
Thur 20 *I feel blessed to have been able to indulge in a good book tonight.
Wed 19 *I am thankful for the ability to find the blessing and goodness of God each day in my life.
Tue 18 *I am grateful for a husband who is willing to sit down and teach my son how to play with his toys.
Mon 17 *I am thankful for a healthy baby who sleeps and eats well these days.
Sun 16 *I am so very thankful that Kent took the time to sit and talk with me this evening. I really enjoy when I get his quality time.
Sat 15 *We have been blessed to enjoy a wonderful evening together tonight provided by my brother and sister who watched the boys for us.
Fri 14 *I am thankful to be able to finally have my appointment with my midwife. I am thankful to have had fantastic healthcare through both of my pregnancies and after.
Thur 13 *I am thankful for the batteries needed to play Uno Attack with Braxton and I'm thankful for a haircut from Melissa.
Wed 12 *I am grateful for the opportunity to get out and enjoy my Discovery Toys meeting tonight.
Tue 11 *I'm thankful for Tia's suggestion on sleep training Cort. We have been blessed to have him respond very well to it.
Mon 10 *I am so thankful that I was able to quickly get a Dt party booked from my calls today. It gives me the energy and excitement I need to pick up and keep working my business.
Sun 9 *I am thankful for the blessing of visiting teaching. When I do it I am reminded that it is almost more for our own benefit than the women we visit.
Sat 8 *Tonight I was blessed to have the Lord take away my debilitating anger.
Fri 7 *I am thankful I was able to realize that my feelings of irritation were actually the cause of the deep hurt I felt.
Thur 6 *I am so thankful for my Sleepy Wrap since it was the only way I was able to get Cort to take a good nap today.
Wed 5 *I am thankful Braxton is doing well on his temporary diet. I have been blessed with a great pediatrician.
Tue 4 *I am thankful for my new understanding of honesty and that I was able to be honest with my neighbor when it wasn't easy and she needed to hear it.
Mon 3 *I am grateful Braxton was able to get in to see the pediatrician and give us some hope for getting Braxton back to good health. I am also thankful Kent was able to take him so Cort was not exposed to more germs than necessary.
Sun 2 *We have been blessed today to be surrounded by family and have a beautiful baby blessing.
Sat 1 *I am so thankful that Spencer and Tiffani have been willing to let us use their house for Cort's baby blessing luncheon.

New Years Goals

2011-01-27T21:35:00.003-07:00

There's been 27 days in this new year and I am now finally reporting on my last years goals. I will sit down and share this years goals later this weekend I hope. My goals were...

YEARLY GOALS

*Write 3 Family History Books
*Read Old Testament
*100% Tithe Payer
*Read 6 Books this year
1. January 26, 2010...The Peacegiver by James Ferrell
2. May 15, 2010...Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Difinitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, & Reproductive Health by Toni Weschler, MPH
3. November 14, 2010... Your Pregnancy Week-by-Week by Glade B. Curtis, MD, FACOG
4. December 31st, 2010...Book of Mormon
*Attend the Temple Nine Times
1. February 18th, 2010
2. March 19th, 2010 Mrs. Mrs. Daui
3. May 12th, 2010
4. July 10th, 2010 Girtrug Svensson
5. Aug 20th, 2010
6. Sept 8th, 2010

MONTHLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
*Visit Teach Monthly

WEEKLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
*7 gratitudes weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*Spend 15 Minutes 5 times a Week Outdoors
*95% daily prayer (6+ days a week)
*95% daily scripture study (6+ days a week)
*Track finances 7 times a week.
*Exercise 30 minutes 5 times a week. (track in exercise blog)

-As for the family history goal I haven't even remembered that I had set that goal so no I can't check that off my list.

-I did not read the old testament

-We I think the report on that probably remain personal and perhaps the goal should have as well.

-I am proud to say that I read 4 of the 6 books. I feel really good about that. I also really enjoyed the things I learned in them.

-I attended the temple 6 out of 9 times and considering I wasn't pregnant when I set that goal I think I did fairly well.

-I don't actually know how well I did visit teaching as I didn't record, but I don't think I did too well.

-I did keep up on my gratitudes this year and I am pleased with that.

-I did really well with the 15 minutes outdoors during the winter when I needed it most. I know I spent much of the summer and fall outside as well.

-prayer is still an area I need work in.

-scripture reading I did really well at the first of the year and then picked it up again in the fall, but summer I didn't do so well.

-I have tried to work on finances with Kent, but we are still working to find a system that both of us are pleased with.

-Exercise is one area I have done really well in. I'm pleased with my efforts there even through my pregnancy.

The biggest problem I have discovered with my goal making is that I am terrible at recording my goals. I am thankful my sister-in-law shared her system with me so I can work to track my goals better this year and hopefully not forget them. This year I have also decided to scale back and work on a few goals. I hope that will help me to be more successful.

Gratitude & Blessings in December

2011-01-05T22:43:00.000-07:00

Fri 31 *I am thankful for a fun night with my friends and family.
Thur 30 *I'm am grateful Kent listened when I told him his family needed some of his time tonight. We have been blessed with some great deals as well as a wonderful dinner at Buca de Beppo.
Wed 29 *I have been blessed for many years with a healthy child.
Tue 28 *I am thankful for my new Sleepy Wrap to help me with my baby.
Mon 27 *I have been blessed to have another good baby.
Sun 26 *I am thankful for the charity of others. Not only for myself and my family, but those in need as well.
Sat 25 *I am thankful for a wonderful quiet Christmas day.
Fri 24 *I am thankful Kent and I have been able to get the most important things done today and that neither of us are bothered that our Christmas presents will come from the after Christmas sales.
Thur 23 *I am so thankful Cort slept in five hour stretches last night so I could wake up before 8 am finally.
Wed 22 *I am thankful my boys will let me sleep in after another difficult night.
Tue 21 *I am thankful I was able to get some neighbor treats made despite Braxton being sick & I am also thankful for Clam Chowder that we made for dinner so I can have filling left overs this week.
Mon 20 *I am thankful for good sleep when I am able to get it.
Sun 19 *I am thankful for a fun evening at my family party.
Sat 18 *I am thankful I didn't have anything that needed to be done for the primary music tomorrow.
Fri 17 *I am thankful Kent and I were able to get out and have a date to his Summit Ice company party.
Thur 16 *I am thankful to have my husband home tonight.
Wed 15 *I am thankful I was able to quickly get a pair of jeans that fits from Old Navy.
Tue 14 *I am thankful for the giftcards we have been given so that we were able to get some of the things we needed tonight.
Mon 13 *I'm thankful I was thankful I was able to go walking today.
Sun 12 *I am thankful I was able to attend sacrament meeting today.
Sat 11 *I am thankful to have our Christmas tree up so it can feel like Christmas and I am thankful I was able to attend the ward Christmas party.
Fri 10 *I am thankful that I was able to have a few hours to spend with just Cort and I. I am also thankful I was able to get a few things done while Kent and Braxton were gone.
Thur 9 *I am thankful Cort and I were finally able to get a good nights sleep!
Wed 8 *I am thankful that I was able to overcome my pride and listen to the Christmas devotional today. I really needed to hear the message from President Uchtdorf.
Tue 7 *I am thankful for a nap today since Cort had a difficult time getting to sleep last night. It makes me realize how blessed I have been with good sleep for the past few years.
Mon 6 *I am thankful that I was able to have some help making a decision on whether or not to give Braxton a flu shot. I am thankful that he was cooperative even though he didn't want to get it.
Sun 5 *I am thankful for the beautiful music I was able to enjoy by the Mormon Tabernacle choir this morning. I had forgotten how much music brings the spirit of Christmas.
Sat 4 *I am thankful I was able to get a nice nap this afternoon. I am also thankful I checked my phone to see that Kent had called and was beginning to worry since I hadn't answered.
Fri 3 *I'm thankful we made it through the day even though Braxton didn't have preschool.
Thur 2 *I am thankful for a good nights sleep and a nice afternoon nap.
Wed 1 *I am thankful the bus driver is willing to drive back in here so I can get Braxton on the bus without taking Cort out in the cold.

Christmas Card 2010

2010-12-15T21:04:00.001-07:00

With Love Chartreuse Christmas Card

Turn your photos into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

My Birth Story- Cort Richard Robison

2010-12-05T11:19:00.005-07:00

The long awaited expectation of Cort Richard Robison's arrival finally came on November 21st, 2010. Although the majority of the pregnancy seemed to fly by it's amazing how long and busy those three weeks leading up to his birth were. Saturday, November 6th I scheduled to attend a boutique as a Discovery Toys vendor. I was very nervous that I may go into labor and not be able to sell at the boutique. After Kent & I finished working we went down to my sisters house to pick up Braxton and eat dinner. On the way home we stopped off at our friends Nate & Jerusha's house to play games. We had a great time.

Upon returning home late that night I found quite a bit of moisture when I went to the restroom and became concerned that perhaps my water had broken. I called the midwife and she instructed me try and to labor at home and if I wasn't in hard labor by morning I should probably have the hospital check me. I then proceeded to pack my bags in case we ended up heading to the hospital. The next morning there was no labor so we dropped Braxton off at the bishops house to go to church with them and Kent and I headed to the hospital to be checked. We were then sent back home and were told it was a heavy discharge that proceeds labor.

The following three weeks I had multiple signs that my body was preparing for labor which put Kent and I both on high alert thinking that any day could be the day. We had scheduled an induction date of November 22 so if I didn't go into labor on my own we knew I would have him by then. At my appointment on Friday, November 19th I had become tired of waiting for so many weeks on such high alert. Because of that I had my midwife strip my membranes and within the hour my body started to have contractions. I had contractions off and on through that night as well as Saturday, but nothing consistent or hard.

Saturday night the midwife called and told me she had a family obligation at 5 o'clock on Monday night and if I didn't have my baby by then her partner would have to deliver my baby. She gave me two other options to be certain she could deliver him. The first was to induce me on Sunday and the second would be to induce me on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Kent and I quickly opted for Sunday.

Sunday morning at 6:30 am we called the hospital to see if there was room for me to be induced and lucky for me the first big winter storm that had rolled in that night had put numerous women in labor and my little bit of labor had stopped so therefore I would have to wait. Around 10 am we got a call asking if we could be at the hospital in an hour. We hurried and took off only to find that in the time it took us to get there more women had come in and we didn't have a nurse. They took us to our room and we watched tv while we waited for a delivery nurse.

Around 12 or 12:30 pm my midwife came in and said that even though we didn't have a nurse she didn't see any reason for me to wait around so she'd go ahead and get me started. She was only able to brake my outer bag of water because my bag was so tough. She then told us we could go walking and so we did. We walked for about 30 to 40 minutes and then went back to the room to be monitored. When we came back we met our nurse. After about 20 to 30 minutes of being on the monitor we decided to go walking again in hopes to speed up the labor. Again we walked for a good 30 to 40 minutes and then came back to be on the monitor.

After a third round of walking which ended around 4:00 pm we talked with the midwife about starting me on pitocin to get me progressing. We decided to have her check me and see how much I had progressed and then if I had not she would put me on pitocin so I could get the baby here. Around 4:30 pm she checked me and just from checking me my inner bag of water broke and without the need for pitocin I was sent into hard labor. I tried laboring for a moment on a ball, but that did nothing for me. I labored for quite a while in the tub and then got out and labored a bit in the room. It seems that this time I was quite a bit louder than I was with Braxton. In fact I kind of groaned/sang through the pain.

Once I got out of the tub though I don't recall much else until they checked me and I was very close to delivering. At that point they started to get things ready for the delivery. I had wanted to squat and this time I was willing to get into the position at that point. I remember asking my midwife if I could push yet and being surprised when she said yes. At that point I was so eager to be out of the pain of delivery that all I could think of was to keep pushing until he was out. Because I was squatting I felt like I was more in control and so I pushed and pushed until he was here. Kent tells me it was about a half an hour that I pushed. He was born quite quickly at 6:51 pm. He weighed 7lbs 14 oz and was 19 inches long. He must have come down the birth canal quickly because he had a very bruised forehead and nose and had broken blood vessels in his eyes that have taken weeks to heal.

I felt really lucky to have the opportunity to nurse him right away and to enjoy him laying right on my bare chest right after birth. I even had the opportunity to rub the vernix into his skin. After I was stitched up from my tearing and Cort had been checked out we were taken to our recovery room. I was eager to get to sleep that night so Kent left to go get Braxton and head to bed himself between 9:30 and 10 pm. About 10:15 or so he called me and asked if Braxton could come meet his brother. He was just too eager to meet him that he couldn't wait until morning. So Braxton and Cort met for the first time at 11:00 at night and Braxton has loved and adored his brother Cort ever since. It's been a real joy to see the love he has for his brother. We have been thrilled to have Cort be a part of our family and we look forward to spending more time getting to know him.

Gratitude & Blessings in November

2010-12-02T17:45:00.001-07:00

Tue 30 *I am SO thankful that Cort is well enough to come off the bili blanket.
Mon 29 *I am thankful my parents were able to come and help us with bringing Cort home. I am also thankful I was finally able to visit with my good friend Melissa when she came over to cut Kent's hair. She has become such a great friend to me and I am thankful for her love and friendship!
Sun 28 *I am thankful for some nice time spent with my husband and my two boys. Family time spent together such a blessing.
Sat 27 *I am thankful for time spent with Kent this evening. I love to sit and cuddle with him and feel his warmth and kindness.
Fri 26 *I am thankful Kent was able to take Cort and I to get his blood drawn to check his bilirubin count.
Thur 25 *I am thankful to have had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with my family. I have been blessed to have them make the dinner.
Wed 24 *I am thankful that my son does not have high risk jaundice. I am thankful for modern technology as well as natural remedies and most of all I am thankful for the wonderful power of the priesthood and my husbands worthiness to hold it. I am also thankful that when Braxton watched his dad and grandpa give his brother a blessing that he wanted to be able to give a blessing too.
Tue 23 *I have been blessed with a good nights sleep and the ability for my body to recover from an allergic reaction. I am thankful Cort and I are well enough to be going home today. Today I am also thankful for a wonderful nursing staff who did their jobs well.
Mon 22 *I am thankful for great nurses to help me after my delivery. You don't realize how much they help until you have one who is not very helpful. I am also thankful for help from the lactation specialist.
Sun 21 *I am so thankful for Kent, my midwife Julie Jones, & my labor and delivery nurse. If it weren't for their help I never could have delivered my new baby Cort naturally. I am so thankful that Braxton was well taken care of and was also anxious to come see his new brother.
Sat 20 *I am thankful that I have been able to relax and hopefully give my body the rest it needs to go into labor. I am also thankful that I have been able to accept the possibility of being induced on Monday I don't go into labor.
Fri 19 *I am thankful I was finally able to see my midwife this afternoon.
Thur 18 *I am thankful for wonderful friends who knew just what I needed when I was having a bad day. Melissa must have known I wanted a treat to indulge myself with and Becca said just the right thing to give me back some encouragement. Thank you friends for your support when I needed it.
Wed 17 *I have been blessed for many months to have friends who have been dedicated to walking in the mornings. I am so thankful for the strength that our daily walks have give to me this pregnancy. I am so thankful to be 9 months pregnant and feel so much better about the way I look this time.
Tue 16 *I am thankful I was able to track down my car seat cover. It will be very nice to have with a winter baby who I'm sure I will worry about trying to keep warm.
Mon 15 *I am so thankful that my Uncle was not afraid to share his enjoyment for his current education in mesage therapy. It has been so nice to give my body a break each week.
Sun 14 *I am thankful that I was able to attend church today even though Braxton and I have had colds this weekend. I don't have many more Sunday's to attend church before I am stuck at home with a baby.
Sat 13 *I am thankful for a wonderful understanding friend who supported me in following my gut even when I didn't understand the feelings I was having. I am also thankful for the courage I had to listen to my feelings not to go to West Point this morning.
Fri 12 *I am thankful I have been able to get so much accomplished today and that I am getting my Discovery Toys in order so that I can hopefully have this done by the time this baby comes.
Thur 11 *I am thankful Brandon, the maintenance guy stopped by with a new fire alarm and was willing to fix a few other things while he was here including my broken refridgerator tray. I am also thankful this baby has allowed me to finish another party. One more to go.
Wed 10 *I'm thankful I was able to attend Sara's open house tonight and sell some of my toys. It does give me a great sense of satisfaction to share these great toys with others.
Tue 9 *I am thankful to have been able to get all my shopping done today so that I now feel prepared to come home from the hospital with a baby and I don't have to send Kent to the store before I bring this little guy home.
Mon 8 *I am thankful I was able to find a nursing bra quickly so that I can be even closer to being ready for the baby to come.
Sun 7 *I am thankful to know that my water hasn't broken and I have been able to get my house back in order.
Sat 6 *I am thankful I was able to make it to my boutique today and get some good leads.
Fri 5 *I am thankful for a thoughtful call from my former neighbor when I needed to know that the Lord was prompting someone to think of me.
Thur 4 *Today I am thankful to know that my body knows what to do and is progressing the way it should. I am also very thankful to be reminded how lucky I am to have Kent for a husband. It's easy to forget that having been married for 7 and a half years and never having been yelled at is quiet a rare blessing. I am thankful for a kind man who treats me with love and respect. I am also thankful for the blessing of Braxton being in preschool where he can learn and get help with his speech. I am so thankful for his great progress.
Wed 3 *I am thankful to finally be getting my house cleaned and put back together.
Tue 2 *I am thankful for all the work that is keeping me busy so that I am not sitting around wishing this baby would come.
Mon 1 *I am thankful that even though Kent and I are not the best financial planners that we are able to keep a positive attitude and we're able to make things work when money does get tight.

He's here!!!

2010-11-24T21:44:00.005-07:00

This Sunday November 21st, 2010 Cort Richard Robison came into the world at 6:51 PM. He weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 19 inches long. Braxton was thrilled to have a brand new brother. In fact he was so thrilled that he had to come see him that night at 11:00 PM. Kent and I are thrilled to have him here and to be working on working him into our life. So far he has been a very good baby.

50 free holiday cards

2010-11-15T17:35:00.005-07:00

For those of you who follow my blog I am excited to tell you that I will be sending out my Christmas card with pictures of my new baby (when he arrives) on free Christmas cards. Shutterfly is having a deal where you can share your favorites of their new Christmas cards on your blog and get 50 Christmas cards free. I think this is a fantastic way to get some great Christmas cards and help spread the word about a company! I could use some free Christmas cards this year! I love getting Christmas cards (especially the ones with pictures) and you only get them when you send them. I can't wait to show you how my family has grown and share with you our newest addition. If you are interested in your own free cards feel free to click on the link that says "deal" above! Here's wishing you all a great holiday season and some fantastic Christmas cards!

It will be tough to pick just one because I like all four of these cards...

Opinions are welcomed and encouraged. :)

Our First Helicopter Ride

2010-11-14T21:25:00.003-07:00

On October 16th Kent, Braxton, and I had our first helicopter ride.

Whirlybird Helicopter School was having an open house and giving rides.

I had really hoped that this would get Kent excited and eager to go back to school, but the guys running the open house made it seem like no big deal which didn't really add to Kent or my excitment about this school. I consider it a loss on their part. They really could have tried a little harder to gain a student, but they didn't. It was fun, however, to watch Braxton soak in the experience. Here are just a couple of the pictures...

Braxton is so excited to being riding in the helicopter!

I really think Kent looks good in this head gear. He should wear it often...

I could get used to this.
After the helicopter ride we stopped off at the Hill Air Force Base Museum. Braxton seemed to enjoy it.

Ready or Not...

2010-11-12T03:45:00.000-07:00

There's no feeling in the world like wondering, 'is this it?' 'are we having this baby tonight?' That is what happened to me last Saturday night. Kent had worked all day that day and I had taken on the task of selling toys at a boutique. We took Braxton to Cheryl's house the night before to have a cousins sleep over and to be watched at their house for the day. Kent and I returned home about the same time Saturday evening and went down to pick up Braxton. As a thank you to everyone we bought pizza for dinner. Before returned home that evening we stopped off at the Buckner's house to play games for a bit with them as well as the Keele's. We had a blast and I laughed a few belly laughs so hard that they hurt. It was so much fun!

Upon returning home that night around 10:30 pm I discovered some excess fluid that made me start to believe that maybe my water had broken. As I sat questioning if it had or not I wrestled with the question of what to do next? I wasn't having any contractions that I knew of, but if my water truly had broken I knew I couldn't stay home forever waiting for them to start. I called the midwife and she advised me to try and get the labor started and stay at home as long as possible since I was wanting to have a natural birth.

That night I was forced into quickly getting ready for a baby to come. I spent the next hour or so packing a bag for myself while trying to see if I could induce labor naturally. Kent and I went to bed waiting to see what would happen. Neither of us slept well. When I woke up the next morning I had a feeling that it wasn't going to happen, but knew I needed to get checked just in case. Kent and I took Braxton over to the bishops so he could go to church with them and we headed to the hospital.

Lucky for me and my disaster of a mess apartment my water had not broken and I was send home. As much as I hate that I will be paying for unnecessary time in the hospital I have to say that it was probably a bit of a blessing. This last week I have been much more in touch with getting things ready for this baby and setting aside my Discovery Toys business. I am now really looking forward to having some time to sit and enjoy my family and get acquainted with my new son. These days I am thinking that I will either go into labor before this Saturday when I have my last party scheduled or else I will finish all my parties and have to wait to be induced on the 22nd. Either way what a wild ride waiting to find out when this baby will decide to come. Wish me luck that I won't get the chance to do another natural delivery while experiencing Pitocin induced contractions.

Gratitude & Blessings in October

2010-10-31T14:36:00.000-06:00

Sun 31 *I am thankful for a wonderful husband who will pick up the slack when I have other responsibilities to attend to.
Sat 30 *I am thankful for a fun evening trick-or-treating with Braxton, Kent, & and a few of our friends. I am also thankful Braxton didn't have an accident when he told me he needed to go potty while waiting in line at the grocery store.
Fri 29 *I am thankful for a nice evening cuddling up with Kent to watch the movie When in Rome for a date night.
Thur 28 *I am thankful for the opportunity to be in my sisters home tonight and listen to her husband give thanks for the opportunity to allow our bodies to rest. At this time in my life I am very thankful for the opportunity to rest my body. In addition to this blessing I have been blessed with the wonderful scriptures. I am thankful for them and for the idea my mom gave me to challenge myself to read 30 days consecutively. I have read the last 12 days and with the exception of one days missed I have been able to read 17 days at least this month. What a blessing it is to have the scriptures!
Wed 27 *I am thankful I was able to have an enjoyable time doing a Discovery Toys party tonight. It was so nice to have women compliment me on doing a good job. I am also thankful that when Braxton fell and cut his face today that it was a minor cut. I felt blessed to be able to attend his class party with him and enjoy watching him interact in his classroom setting.
Tue 26 *I am grateful to have accomplished such a huge task of making over 60 reminder calls for tomorrow nights Discovery Toys Party.
Mon 25 *I am so thankful for the opportunity to have an uncle who has been learning the art of massage therapy and who needs hours of practice on prenatal clients. I didn't know how beneficial massage therapy was for pregnancy!
Sun 24 *I am thankful for the opportunity to attend church in my own ward with people who are understanding of the noise my son may make from time to time. I am also thankful for a kid who behaves really well in church.
Sat 23 *I am thankful Kent was able to get a deer so quickly this morning when the weather turned out to be lousy later today.
Fri 22 *I am thankful that Braxton has his older cousins Kade and Tanner who play with him so well and treat him as a loved and important person.
Thur 21 *I am thankful I was able to get all that I needed to accomplish done before we headed to Meadow.
Wed 20 *I am thankful for the wonderful walks that I am able to go on with my friends Melanie and Heather. Good friend who support you are so important.
Tue 19 *I am thankful for a husband and son who I love and enjoy. I am also thankful for this child who kicks inside my belly.
Mon 18 *I am grateful for good health and nutrition that allows my body to feel good and have energy.
Sun 17 *I am thankful that for a much needed 2 hour nap after staying up late to make jam last night. I am thankful for a wonderful husband and son who let me sleep.
Sat 16 *I am thankful that Kent, Braxton, and I were able to go for a helicopter ride yesterday so Kent could get a little feel for flying. I am also thankful that we were able to get the peaches taken care of and make Raspberry Peach Jam.
Fri 15 *I was blessed with the idea and the desire to follow through with that idea to put together a road rally date night tonight. I feel so blesed to have had a great turn out and it seemed like everyone there had a really good time.
Thur 14 *I'm thankful Melissa asked me if I wanted to make cabbage and ramen salad for dinner. I needed someone to help me snap out of my feeling sorry for myself.
Wed 13 *I am so thankful that it appears my baby has flipped so that he is head down now. I am also thankful I was able to make it to my Dr.'s appointment on time and feel better when Julie was running a little behind herself. I'm thankful I was able to make it through an emotionally stressful day.
Tue 12 *I am thankful we were able to attend the ward party and have such a good time. I am also thankful to have so many good friends in the ward and that Braxton has such good friends as well.
Mon 11 *I am thankful to FINALLY have my house cleaned and feel like it is liveable again.
Sun 10 *I am thankful Kent wanted to go to church today after we attended his co-workers wedding. I am also thankful that I was married in the temple so many years ago.
Sat 9 *I am thankful we were blessed to get some free peaches through a friend yesterday. They have been so tasty this morning.
Fri 8 *I Today I was blessed with a wonderful relaxing day. I didn't get a lot accomplished, but I am thankful to have had a break.
Thur 7 *I am so thankful that Braxton finally gets it enough that he told me he needed to poop and then went in a did it. I am so proud of him and excited that all our hard work is paying off.
Wed 6 *I've been blessed with a great kid who was willing to go with me to my Discovery Toys meeting tonight. He was so well behaved as well. As we left Leslie said to him see you later alligator and as we walked out he said to me, mom I'm not an alligator. After I went back to tell her he told her, "I'm a monkey."
Tue 5 *I am thankful for the wonders of technology that allowed me to listen even closer to President Monson's talk today.
Mon 4 *I have been blessed to receive free massage therapy which really helps my body deal with the demands of supporting two lives.
Sun 3 *I have been blessed to listen to the words of our prophets. I love to listen to conference.
Sat 2 *Today I was blessed with the right person to talk to when I needed a friend the most. I am thankful for wonderful friends who listen even if it is online.
Fri 1 *I am thankful Discovery Toys found "another day" in their September calendar so my new recruit, Tammie, could get her sales in and not feel entirely defeated. I enjoy working for a company who cares about those who do their ground work!

2010-10-02T05:01:00.002-06:00

I am really looking forward to general conference tomorrow. I didn't know how much I'd need to feel the comforting of the spirit that conference brings until about 6 hours ago when I learned of some very sad circumstances that have caused someone I love pain and could potentially cause another person I love even more pain. I would love to share, but it is all very sensitive material. It is the reason that I find myself blogging at 5 am. I need to talk to someone and I don't think anyone is up who can process what I need to say. Because of this I am working these thoughts out online. I do have to say that it is amazing to me how much it lightens my spirit to come and work on my gratitude post. It truly does help me to count my many blessings. In fact so much that maybe that is what I need to do.

I am thankful for my husband who works very hard for my family. I am thankful for his efforts in our home and in being a great dad to our son. I am thankful for Braxton and all he is learning right now. We have been so blessed to get him into his preschool class which he loves. This last week I have had numerous people tell me how well they can understand his words in just a short amount of time. He really looks forward to school and I know that it is a blessing. He is my blessing. In four and a half years he has brought me so much joy and taught me so much.

I am thankful for this little boy who these days drives me crazy with his constant kicking and movement. I am thankful to have a healthy body that allows me to enjoy this pregnancy in ways that I wasn't able to enjoy my pregnancy with Braxton. I am thankful that he has been healthy and continues to grow well. I am thankful that he is going to be born in November so that I can cuddle him all winter long.

I have been blessed with a fantastic life. It has been filled with wonderful friends, meaningful family, and many opportunities for growth. I am happy with the person I have become. It has taken me 30 years to become who I am today and I wouldn't change a thing. I only hope that in another thirty years I will feel the same only even stronger and wiser!

Gratitude & Blessings in September

2010-09-30T10:40:00.000-06:00

Thur 30 *I am thankful we have such good friends and that Braxton was able to attend his good friends birthday party.
Wed 29 *We are so blessed to have Braxton in preschool and working with fantastic people. I am so thankful his bus driver is so nice and told me I'm a parents she adores. :)
Tue 28 *I am thankful I was able to take a little bit of time to run errands with my neighbor and that we were able to endulge in Red Mango.
Mon 27 *I am thankful I was able to visit with my aunts today and I'm also thankful for a great massage.
Sun 26 *I a thankful Kent had such a great idea on how to get Braxton taken care of when this baby comes.
Sat 25 *I am thankful for a wonderful day with good mental health.
Fri 24 *I am thankful I was able to get so much accomplished today. I feel really good about the What Women Want Show and I am glad I was able to get most of my reminder calls made for my open house.
Thur 23 *I feel so blessed to have been given tickets to attend the circus with my family as well as Kent's uncle & his family. It was exactly what I needed.
Wed 22 *I am thankful for a clean house.
Tue 21 *I am thankful for my morning walks.
Mon 20 *I am thankful that I was able to be honest with how I feel and not allow feeling sorry for someone to make me do something I didn't want to do.
Sun 19 *I am thankful for good friends who invited us over for dinner and conversation.
Sat 18 *I am thankful that I was able to stay reasonable and understand when Kent found a great deal on a loft bed for Braxton without me being there.
Fri 17 *I am thankful to have been so productive with getting my closet organized and cleaning out things that needed to be thrown out. I am also thankful for a wonderful night out with Kent and Braxton at the nicklecade.
Thur 16 *I am thankful for a husband who is willing to listen when I need him to & who also knows me well enough to understand when something is wrong.
Wed 15 *I am thankful for a wonderful son who enjoys spending time with me.
Tue 14 *I have been blessed today with productivity. I am thankful the Lord helped me to organize my time better because I took the time to read his word.
Mon 13 *I am thankful I had the opportunity to remind my friend of the saving power of the atonement. I am thankful the Savior atoned for my sins & transgressions!
Sun 12 *I am thankful for a must needed relaxing drive in the canyon today.
Sat 11 *I was blessed to find a box of baby boy clothes at my sisters house today. I am so thankful to have found it.
Fri 10 *Today we were blessed to be able to go to the state fair for free with Kent's brother & uncle and their families. We had a great time.
Thur 9 *I am thankful for a great husband who is so kind and generous with others even when their son was joining the kids in throwing dirt clods on the road and Kent's truck.
Wed 8 *I am thankful for a new possible understanding of answers to my prayers.
Tue 7 *I am thankful I was able to talk to Braxton's bus driver to get things worked out so he could ride the bus home.
Mon 6 *I am thankful for a wonderful fun evening with my husband and for the good laugh that trailer racing brought.
Sun 5 *I have been blessed to have a wonderful husband who takes care of and loves his family. I am also thankful we were able to enjoy a night up at my Aunt and Uncle's property.
Sat 4 *I am thankful for a great day with my good friend Tia.
Fri 3 *I am thankful for a fun and delicious evening with my good friends Beau and Janessa.
Thur 2 *I am thankful for a wonderful husband who is always eager to show support and love to his friend when they are in need.
Wed 1 *I am thankful that Braxton was able to ride and bus to preschool today and that he really loved it.

Remembering My Individual Worth

2010-09-23T11:50:00.002-06:00

Each year as the days grow shorter I struggle with my mental health. While eating right, exercising, and trying to think positive help there is truly something that goes on inside of me & I lack the capability to feel as healthy as I do in the spring & summer months. I've come to understand that this is just one of the challenges I have to face. This year being pregnant seems to have hyper jumped me into my winter depression early.

While I am working with my midwife to find something to help me through this winter I am struggling and scared of the mental attacks that will come. Last night brought many things that made me break down and feel a lack of power and low self worth. I went to bed feeling fatigued and beaten. At 4 am I awoke and these feelings came flooding back so strongly that I could not lay my head down to sleep. I came in and wasted time online hoping to tire myself out. After about an hour I went in and tried to sleep and when I found that my mind was too busy racing with thoughts of self doubt to sleep I began to sob due to exhaustion. Kent awoke and comforted me for a while and made me feel more calm and at ease.

As I laid there in my loving husbands arms my mind began to be filled with something I haven't thought about in a while. The words to the Young Women's theme began to run through my head...

I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, who loves me, and I love Him. I will "stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) as I strive to live the Young Women values, which are: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, and Integrity. I believe as I come to accept and act upon these values, I will be prepared to make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

As I thought of these words I realized how each of these values applied to this challenge in my life. I must have faith and rely on the Lord knowing that he is aware of my trials and he will strengthen me as I turn to him for help. I truly AM a Daughter of my Heavenly Father which makes my nature divine. The Lord has many daughters, but he loves me, Marlies Robison, and cares for me individually and I am of worth to him. I have been blessed with great knowledge in this life. I have been given much of the knowledge I need to be successful in life and I have been abundantly blessed to have a knowledge of God's plan of happiness. I have been given the great power to make choices and be accountable for them. Some of those choices have brought me pain, but so many of those choices have brought me joy and happiness and for that I am grateful. I have been given the opportunity to perform good works in my life that have blessed me & others more than I can ever know. With all that I have been blessed with I must have the integrity to to acknowledge all that I have been blessed with even when the walls of my mind seem grim and confining.

I am grateful to know of the changes that have been made to the theme since I was a young woman. I know that in a world of changing values that it was important to add the value of virtue. Much of our would would find more joy and happiness if we were all a little more virtuous. I am also glad that they added "We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family..." I think that far too often I look outside my family to find my worth. My greatest calling and my greatest source of joy is in the service that I give as a wife and mother. I need to remember that these are the most important roles that I have. I am thankful I have been prepared to strengthen my home and my family so that I can raise people who are prepared to be strong in the face of adversity.

Changes

2010-09-08T16:14:00.006-06:00

Two weeks ago on August 30th my little boy grew into a big boy. He started his first day of preschool.He was excited all morning long waiting for preschool to start.
When I told him to get his school clothes on he jumped to his feet quickly
He is loving preschool and loves to tell me about his day.

When he gets to school he finds his name tag and practices writing his name.

He was SO excited to be at preschool!!!

Wednesday, Sept. 1st we finally working it out with transportation to get the bus to pick Braxton up. Taking him to preschool was a little bit hard, but putting him on the bus was much harder. After putting him on the bus I was freaking out inside. I'm starting to get better at letting him ride the bus. He's the little head in the window here.

Noteworthy Quote

2010-09-03T22:57:00.001-06:00

“You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly” Sam Keen

Gratitude & Blessings in August

2010-08-31T23:35:00.001-06:00

Tue 31 *I am thankful for all my wonderful friends who helped me reach my goals for Discovery Toys today.
Mon 30 *I'm thankful Braxton had a fantastic day at school.
Sun 29 *I am thankful for great friends. I am also thankful Kent and I were able to make the right decision when it came to possibly buying a horse we love.
Sat 28 *I am thankful for a great day with Braxton and I am thankful for his success in potty training.
Fri 27 *I am thankful my friend Jill called and asked Braxton & I to join her and Baylee to play at the park. It was nice to get out of the house.
Thur 26 *I am thankful I have been able to overcome my fear and make some calls for sponsoring a Discovery Toys Educational Consultant.
Wed 25 *I am thankful that I have been able to attend Relief Society tonight.
Tue 24 *I am thankful my new Dt sponsor had a great start to her Discovery Toys grand opening.
Mon 23 *After a heartfelt plea to the Lord to help me with this potty training my prayers were answered and I was able to figure out that Braxton had an aversion to going #2 in the big toilet. I'm thankful we bought him a training potty tonight & he had success.
Sun 22 *I am thankful Braxton went & sat with his Primary class today with out crying or protest. I am also thankful that he loves Sister Debbie so much he wanted to show her some of his treasures today during sacrament meeting.
Sat 21 *Today I was able to enjoy going with Braxton and our friends to the downtown library as well as Liberty Park. It was made even better when Kent was able to come and join us after working at Midgley.
Fri 20 *I am thankful I was able to make it to the temple this evening.
Thur 19 *It was such a nice night to take Devin and Liesel out for some Cup of Snow snow cones. I'm glad that Kent found out about these deluxe snow cones.
Wed 18 *I am thankful to have my floors clean and my house back in order for the most part.
Tue 17 *I am thankful Spencer was able to break into my car since I locked the keys in. I am also thankful for great savings on new shoes for Kent and I as well as back to school products for Braxton.
Mon 16 *I am thankful I was able to go out to dinner with my parents family tonight and that I was able to take some good dinner home just in time for Kent to get off work.
Sun 15 *I am thankful for a successful first family camp out. I am also thankful I was able to spend the evening with our great friends Ian and Tia.
Sat 14 *I am thankful for Kent's great skill at dutch oven cooking. I am also thankful that Brian's in-laws came and helped us eat it.
Fri 13 *I am thankful for a fun day of camping with the Kunz family. I am also thankful for a nice evening of fishing with my husband, son, and brother Devin.
Thur 12 *I am thankful my family trivia game turned out to be such a success. It was a lot of fun. I am also thankful we were able to get things done so we could go camping.
Wed 11 *I am thankful I am almost all ready to go camping this weekend with my family.
Tue 10 *I am thankful I checked Kent's account so I could find out I actually didn't have the money to go shopping for extras today. What a blessing.
Mon 9 *I am so thankful that I was able to get 24 quarts of apricot juice bottled today.
Sun 8 *I am thankful for the many wonderful apricots I was able to get today. I am also thankful for the hours of help my neighbors gave me.
Sat 7 *I am thankful to have a clean house as I prepare for church tomorrow. I am also thankful for a great husband who took us out for Gelato tonight. It was fun to have dessert and watch Kent make the ladies serving get nervous about his Gelato flavor.
Fri 6 *I am thankful for the life I have lived. I have been blessed abundantly.
Thur 5 *I am thankful for all of the skills I have as a homemaker. I enjoy being able to make my own bread, sew a ripped tent bag, bottle apricot juice, and give my boys haircuts which I did do today. I may not be a master at any one thing, but I am sufficient at many things, and for that I am grateful.
Wed 4 *I am thankful the Lord sends beautiful rain storms in the summer. There is nothing like a rain storm, especially with thunder and lightning, when the weather gets hot in the summer. It is one of my favorite things.
Tue 3 *I am thankful for a husband who was willing to change his attitude and pack up all the things we needed to eat at the neighborhood block party. I am also thankful that when I heard Kent say he loved me because I take such good care of him tonight that I felt the truthfulness of those words.
Mon 2 *We have been blessed with good health. I am thankful that Braxton's touch of stomach flu only lasted a few hours on Saturday.
Sun 1 *I am thankful today to know that while Kent was a work that he really missed being with me and Braxton. I appreciate & enjoy his love and his friendship.

Hello Summer...Good-bye!

2010-08-24T14:34:00.038-06:00

Summer is my favorite time of year. The only problem is that it flies by so fast that as soon as it's started it is over. This year has been no exception. Here is our summer run down through pictures...Kent took a second job working for Summit Ice and found himself very busy working.

We sure have missed him!!!

The kids love playing in the dirt across the parking lot.

Braxton couldn't quite hold still for a picture with his speech teachers Jen and Michelle on the last day of speech class.

We had a picnic up the canyon and on the way back saw a couple of moose hanging out in a field.

June 22 Braxton turned 4 and had a "rocket ship birthday party"

we haven't stopped hearing about it ever since.

We found a rocket ship at Zurchers and had to get it for him.

Elijah and Baylee take a turn at the pinata.

Birthday boy takes a whack.

Simeon's turn.

Elijah again.

Zander gets a chance.

I did my best to make him a rocket ship birthday cake that would be easy to split.

Maybe I am not the best at cupcake cakes.

Braxton got very upset when we sang happy birthday to him without the candle lit because it wouldn't stay lit. Apparently he's figured out how this works.

Trying to be a happy and brave boy.

Since it was a kid party where we invited the parents too

we decided to feed them hot dogs and cake.

Braxton LOVED his fire truck from Zander.

Baylee knew him well to give him moon sand.

Even though you can't see it Hyrum gave him a cars book he can design himself.

Thanks for the airplanes Simeon.

Mom and Dad decided he needed a bike his size so he'd be more confident in riding one.

The last weekend in June was the Kesler Reunion at Fish Lake

Braxton loved driving Uncle Gordon's boat.

Gordon had to keep Kesler close. ha ha ha

Braxton had as much fun off the lake as he did on.

He was funny he'd grab my hand and try to make me take the lifevest off.

Here mom just do it.

Braxton made the connection between the firemen he had, the fireman hat he got and the new fire truck. It was cute to see him play with all.

July 4th Braxton and I headed out to the Murray Parade with my neighbors Melissa, Janell and their kids while Kent delivered ice.

Braxton shows his parade spirit.

Funny stuff huh?

Melissa, Janell, and I

This looks more like the Kanosh parade than the Murray parade.

I had to take a picture of her crazy hair. WOW!

Braxton checking out the fire truck hoping it doesn't get too close.

All six kids on the parade route.

In case you don't recognize me in 20 years this is what I will look like.

It was so much fun to watch the rock crawlers climb on each other.

Braxton watched a few westerns and go the cowboy look down.

I was so lucky to have dinner with my roommates Robin and Kim from my first year of college. I love these ladies!!!

After two years of not making it down to Meadow/Kanosh for the

24th of July I was thrilled that his year we made it!

Kanosh parade has such fun and simple floats.

Braxton was excited to get some candy.

Waiting for more

Kent loves this truck.

The simplicity of a small town parade.

Nice boat!

Kanosh bishopric. I still think it's funny Travis is in there.

Kaitlyn is excited to participate in the parade.

Shantel on the other hand isn't as excited. Must be the age difference.

Kade enjoyed the fire truck water.

Meadow's celebration had fun blow up slides for the kids to enjoy.

Braxton loved it!

Brayden enjoyed it as well.

Tanner's getting ready to make a splash while Kade and Brayden look on.

Kade's turn

Braxton makes a splash.

Tenielle enjoys her turn

Here comes Natalie

Tanner is very brave.

Here comes Braxton

Carl's turn

Meadow's parade

Again the high tech floats.

Kyle shows off his wheels in the parade.

Tammy Beckstrand got her grandkids to do this float. It was cute the front of the float had an egg that said, "Kids crack me up"

Braxton raced in Kanosh, but when I had my camera in Meadow

he didn't want to leave the slide to run.

Kent, Kyle and his girlfriend, Jackie decided to race.

Kent's making a mad dash.

Uncle Kevin Kesler had fun playing with the girls.

The end of July we enjoyed the ward campout

Braxton and Simeon were filthy.

Cute flithy boys.

Brandon Berrett and Brent Christensen enjoy some relaxation

The ward members enjoyed a volleyball game

Bary Johnson didn't want to have his picture taken

The kids loved running down the ramp.

Cody was so nice to take the kids for rides.

Cool fort the young men made.

Baylee had great bed head.

Kent and I grew Topsy Turvy tomatoes.

These are pretty much the most expensive tomatoes I've had. lol

August 12th through the 15th we had the first official Kunz Family Campout up American Fork Canyon in Granite Flat Campground (Sites 51 & 52 to be specific). It was a lot of fun to get together and enjoy one another! Working on our tin foil dinners

Mariel taught us to roast starbursts.

Such a tough husband

My silly boy feel back in his chair

The kids loved running up and down this hill

Mariel & Haley snuggle

Cute girls

Who knows about my weird expression

Cute dirty cousins

Braxton always loves playing in the dirt.

Grandma helps Michaela with her hand.

We enjoyed a day at TibbleFork.

Braxton and Kent enjoyed the boat

Everyone enjoyed fishing
Kylie and Liesel here

Kylie, Grandpa, & Erik

Devin's quite the fisherman

We just couldn't get Erik to put his clothes on. lol

Grandma with Haley

Aaron enjoying the water

Brian, Austin, & Shanalea

Brianna

Levi practices casting

Quite the little fisherman

What a cute fisher

Kylie and Ahslyn love Aunt Mariel

Chillin' by the lake

I love it when my husband is so tough.

Braxton the mountain lion

A deer came and joined us for a moment

Kent just relaxing

I like his smile, but usually don't get it on camera.

Devin and Liesel learning about the hot desert...

Didn't take then too long to figure it out.

We've had a great summer. I hope that the fall and winter can be just as enjoyable for our family

Baby Boy Names

2010-08-06T10:18:00.001-06:00

So I am braving the world of sharing the baby names that I have come up with. This list is just the names that I have found as I have looked on the internet, through family names, at the rodeo, through the ward list in Meadow (where else to find good country/cowboy names other than in the country?), etc. Some of these names are one's that I doubt I would use for my child others are names I would only use as middle names, but these are the names that I have at this point. I think more than likely this little boys name is in here the question will be which name is his when we see him. His name has not come to us as clearly as Braxton's did so we'll see when we meet him who he really is...

(one star * means it's a first choice for a first name, two stars ** means it's a second choice or a middle name & three stars *** means it's a name I found, but more than likely will not be using it)

***Cimarron (found it on an internet list of cowboy names)
*Jackson (The first favorite I found when I found a site that told me sibling names for Braxton)
**Colt
**Marshall
*Calvin (Kent's grandpa's name)
Thrower (My Grandpa's middle name...I'd use his first, but Ross Robison is a mouthful)
**Lorenzo (My great grandpa's middle name)
***William (My Great great ... grandpa's first name)
**Flake (My Great grandma's maiden name)
***George (Kent's great grandma's maiden name)
***Thomas (Kent family name)
**Wesley (Kent family name)
**Warren (Kent family name)
*Morgan (My great grandpa's first name, a family name on Kent's side)
*Jesse (My great ... grandpa Jesse N. Smith a cousin as I recall to Joseph Smith Jr.)
***Hollister (My Family name)
*Cort (A name I like from a movie and Kent liked it too)
**Derik
**Cameron
**Cale
***Caith
**Camden
**Daniel
**Callen (A name we saw on a tv show)
*Tucker (A name suggested by my friend Tia that is from a book by Kent's favorite author)
**Flint (Again a name from Kent's favorite author, Louis Lamour)
***Tatton (Another Louis Lamour)
***Rafe (Louis Lamour)
***Lando (Louis Lamour)
***Zane (Name of a kid I knew from a daycare I worked at in HS, Also from Meadow's ward list...unfortunately Kent doesn't like this name he says)
***Kenny (Meadow ward list)
***Travin (Interesting name I got from the rodeo)
***Riggin (Another interesting name I got from the rodeo)

Feel free to steal any of these names, but if you steal them from me I just might use them anyway so be forewarned. Also feel free to comment about any or all names you like or don't like. I may take your comments into consideration, but I will most likely do what I want anyway. :) After all it's my baby and I'll name him what I want. lol

P.S. Some of my favorite full names I've come up with are...
Jesse Morgan Robison
Jackson Morgan Robison
Cort Jesse Robison
Cort Morgan Robison

Gratitude & Blessings in July

2010-07-31T17:38:00.001-06:00

Sat 31 *I am thankful to be home, clean, and somewhat rested from camping.
Fri 30 *I am thankful for a wonderful husband who is willing to do so much to make our camping experience a successful one.
Thur 29 *I am thankful the weather cleared up so that we were able to go enjoy on of the nicest evenings with friends of the whole summer. I didn't realize how great camping with friends really is.
Wed 28 *Today I am grateful I took the time to spend with my son and friends taking the kids swimming. I need to take time out for Braxton more often.
Tue 27 *I am thankful for a great friend who has a great attitude despite her great efforts to do a Discovery Toys Party for me.
Mon 26 *I am thankful I have been able to get so much done in getting my house back in order and in getting prepared for my friends Dt party.
Sun 25 *I am thankful for a relaxing evening with my family as well as a nice visit from friends from the ward who reminded me of the simplicities of being a parent.
Sat 24 *I am thankful for a fun filled day spent in my favorite Pioneer day spot. I couldn't ask for a better day in the sun with my family.
Fri 23 *I am thankful for the generosity shown by Kent's cousin when we had a flat tire. It's so nice to have family who desires to help & serve one another.
Thur 22 *I am so thankful for the delicious apricots that we were able to juice tonight. I am also thankful for a husband who is eager and willing to help with canning.
Wed 21 *I am thankful that I have been able to get all of the things I accomplished that I had hoped to accomplish.
Tue 20 *I am thankful I was able to spend time with Kent & Braxton this evening. I enjoy my time with them.
Mon 19 *I am thankful the baby is still well and healthy and that I have such a great midwife to answer all my questions. I am also thankful for a fun day at the splash pad with my cousins. It's good to take time to see family.
Sun 18 *I am thankful for wonderful friends who are willing to make an effort to remain friends even when they move away.
Sat 17 *I am thankful that I was able to go with Braxton out to dinner.
Fri 16 *I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who was willing to go help serve at a wedding in place of me even after a hard days work. He is a great blessing to me.
Thur 15 *We were blessed to enjoy fun and family tonight together at the Ute Stampede Rodeo. It is such a blessing to spend time with my little family.
Wed 14 *I'm thankful I was able to stay home tonight and get some bread made while helping out a neighbor.
Tue 13 *I am thankful Kent and I were able to take Braxton to the movie Toy Story 3.
Mon 12 *I am more than thankful the maintenance man showed up and fixed the swamp cooler.I am also thankful for maternity clothes that fit...especially since the shirts were a size small.
Sun 11 *I am thankful for the rain that cooled off my apartment just when I needed it because the swamp cooler isn't working.
Sat 10 *I'm thankful for my good friends who called me and invited me to dinner when I needed to be reminded that my Father in Heaven loves me and He is mindful of my circumstances.
Fri 9 *I am thankful for a wonderful evening at dinner with my old roommates from my first year of college. I've been so blessed with wonderful people in my life.
Thur 8 *I'm thankful that despite a rocky start to our date night I was able to have a very nice evening with my husband. We need to bless our marriage this way more often. I am also thankful my family is all in good health.
Wed 7 *I'm thankful for all the times Kent IS here to help out with Braxton.
Tue 6 *I am SO thankful for the small miracle that we were able to find camping spaces right next to each other for 21 of my family members who are attending my family reunion.
Mon 5 *I am thankful for the scriptures and all of the knowledge contained inside. I love to read them and feel the spirit they bring into my heart.
Sun 4 *I am thankful for the reminder that there have been many who gave up their life for my liberty. I hope I never forget to be grateful for their sacrifices.
Sat 3 *I am thankful for my neighbors who came with me to the parade this morning. It is so nice to have friend to celebrate with.
Fri 2 *I am thankful to have finally had time to get the house cleaned up & feel a little more civil.
Thur 1 *I am thankful I had a good evening doing Lacy's Discovery Toys party.

Check out the new post from April

2010-07-29T12:25:00.000-06:00

http://robison-kunzfam.blogspot.com/2010/04/aprils-picture-review.html

The Acne isn't so Bad...

2010-07-21T17:51:00.003-06:00

On Monday at my appointment with the midwife I asked for a prescription she had given me a sample of previously. It was for my pregnancy acne and it seemed to clear it up really well. Today I went to purchase the prescription and asked the pharmacist how much it would cost. When she told me it was $99 AFTER the insurance I decided my face was looking much better and I no longer needed any medicine.

Earth's Crowning Jewel

2010-07-11T23:56:00.003-06:00

When I was asked before we found out the sex of this baby what I wanted I truthfully said I just want a healthy baby. The last week has brought a flood of feelings that have been surprising to me. For those of you who have read the Five Love Languages book my prime love language is Quality Time. For those of you who have not read it...read the book. This is a great love language as long at there is plenty of quality time to be had. In the case of life right now when Kent is working 2 jobs which last week had him working nearly 90 hours it has made me feel incredibly unloved and unappreciated.

These feelings of a low love tank have brought some very down feelings and those feelings have been compounded by the prospect of having a boy. Basically the feelings that have flooded my mind have been concern that I am going to be stuck in a house full of males who enjoy doing manly things and who aren't too concerned with taking care of the mom. I have tried to tell myself how foolish this thinking is and change my direction of thinking, but those thoughts just kept overwhelming me and making me more and more concerned about the idea.

Kent and Braxton went down south this weekend to help Travis with cows and I decided that I was going to shower myself with my own quality time. For the most part it worked on Friday. Then Saturday came and all these built up feelings came crashing down on me. I'm sure it was a combination of hormones, not enough sleep, and my circumstances, but these feelings were real none the less. Saturday morning I walked up to the park to walk around the track and these concerns overcame me. As I had conference piped into my ear all I could see was boys and dads playing baseball and all I could hear were the discouraging thoughts inside my head. I walked the track choking back tears and wishing I could walk longer, but I couldn't handle being around so many happy people as I struggled to control my thoughts and emotions.

I had planned to attend the temple that day so I went home and prepared to go. I went and did my temple session which was nice and then stayed in the celestial room for a few moments to read scriptures & pray. It was all very nice, but it didn't cure my mind and that discouraged me more. Kent and Braxton decided to stay in Meadow that afternoon and go boating with Travis which only fed into my negative mind set even more. I felt as though I was drowning and yet no one would throw me a life preserver. The swamp conditioner seemed to be broken so I struggled even to sleep my problems away.

Then a light at the end of the tunnel came upon awakening this morning. I turned on the radio to Sunday music and the first song I heard was Oh My Father. The third verse has a phrase that says, "in the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare. Truth is reason, truth eternal, tells me I've a mother there." As those words were sung I realized that I have a Heavenly Mother who my Heavenly Father holds so sacred that he don't not share much about her with the world for fear of how they will defain her name.

If my Father holds my Mother with such respect what does that say about me as the mother of this family? How much does my Father in Heaven love me a daughter who was created in the image of my Heavenly Mother? In addition to those thoughts the spirit reminded me how much my boys owe me for bringing them into this world. If not for me and the sacrifices I make this family could not exist. There would be no children and Kent would not be a father or a husband. As these thoughts replaced the previous ones I was reminded of the last time I was in the temple and I was taught that the earth was not complete until Eve was created. In fact the Lord called her His crowning jewel of all the creations. All of these thoughts reminded me that the Lord loves me whether I am a mother of boys or a mother of girls or a mother of both.

There may come times in this family of boys that I am neglected. There may be just as many times I am neglected if I were the mother of girls, but I don't need to fear for the Lord loves me and he will help me in my tasks. I was brought to this earth for a reason and I am Kent's wife for a reason. I am the mother of two boys because I am supposed to be. I am the woman who was chosen to lead and guide and nurture this family. The Lord has entrusted me with this calling and He will not leave me. In the end if I find I am neglected I know that the Lord can make up for the shortcomings and imperfections of my family. As long as I look to the Lord for my help and my strength I have no need to fear.

Baby Boy Robison #2

2010-07-11T23:45:00.003-06:00

Thought I'd share the pictures of my littlest boy...and in case you aren't convinced they really got it right this time I'm sure the last picture makes it nice and clear.

25 Things About Braxton at Age 4

2010-07-09T16:13:00.004-06:00

Last night I got thinking that due to the business of the time surrounding Braxton's birthday I never took the chance to write anything about him, and I'd still like to take the time to do that. In honor of my favorite 4-year-old I am going to write 25 things about him.
1. At his 4 year appointment his weight was in the 50% percentile and his height was in the 75%. Dr. Bean tells me that puts him at being about 6 feet tall.

2. He has a friend Hunter who is 7-years-old and Braxton adores him. In fact I'd dare say he is border line obsessed with the kid. We always hear about his friend Hunter this and his friend Hunter that. The cool part is that Hunter thinks Braxton is pretty cool too.

3. Braxton LOVES to play in the dirt and has ever since he was just old enough to crawl. He loves dirt, sand, and earth of any kind.

4. Braxton also loves to play with trucks. Especially semi trucks and construction equipment (the dirt thing again here).

5. In addition to Braxton's love of trucks he also loves almost any mode of transportation. He loves planes, race cars, helicopters, trains, & motorcycles. His latest infatuation has been emergency vehicles.

6. He is quite particular about what he wears. Since about 2 years of age I have struggled to get him to wear things that he does not like. Most often I don't worry about it because it's not worth the fight to me.

7. Even though it is summer Braxton usually prefers to wear pants over shorts. His favorite pants are his wranglers that are hand me downs from his cousins Kade and Carl. I often encourage him to wear shorts and it usually gets me no where.

8. Even though Braxton doesn't like to wear shorts he still likes his feet to be cool so he fights me when I tell him if he's going to ride his new bike then he's got to wear good shoes not his sandals (of course the sandals did come from Hunter so that may be why he likes them so much...who knows).

9. Currently Braxton is in a Buzz Lightyear phase. He loves the character and often finds him in the stores and points him out to me. He'll pull his arms into his body and then shoot them straight out to the side and pretends to fly as he says, "I'm Duzz." In fact the other day he used a rolled up poster (mostly white) as his wings. I thought that was also clever.

10. He doesn't like potatoes. He will only eat them in the form of a french fry and even then he doesn't eat that many.

11. He's not a huge fan of eating. Most often when I tell him to eat he tells me he doesn't want to eat and then we have a fight on our hands.

12. He's a pretty good water drinker. He will ask for water often and usually asks for a drink if he sees Kent or I drinking water.

13. Braxton enjoys pretending to be a cowboy. He has a very cute hat he loves to wear that used to belong to his dad, but is totally deformed now because all his handling. He also likes to put a bandanna over his mouth and grab his gun to go "kick" things.

14. He seems to use the word "kick" for any action of violence. If he shoots you, hits you, or kicks you he will tell you, "I'm gonna kick you." If it's to someone else he'll tell you, "I'm gonna kick he."

15. Braxton has a speech delay which he has been able to get help through the school district for, but despite the fact that most people don't understand him he has always wanted to talk. It doesn't matter if you are young or old he will jabber your ear off. He has actually been quite a chatterbox for a couple of years now.

16. Braxton likes to blame others. For example when he doesn't want to do something like go to the store he tells me, "My dad say he doesn't want me to go to the store." I thought it was just a my dad thing until yesterday Kent told me Braxton didn't want to go on the boat when I wasn't there and he told Kent, "My mom say I don't like to go on the boat."

17. Braxton is starting to have a little empathy for us. One day not too long ago on a walk I bent down and pet a puppy who was being walked by a lady ahead of us. As soon as I pet him he listened to his owner and ran back to her. When we passed the dog again I went to pet him and before I reached him he ran back. Braxton said to me very sincerely, "Sorry mom, he not like you." I have noticed lately that sorry is a huge part of his vocabulary. If I ask where something is Braxton will say, "It's gone. Sorry Mom."

18. Braxton loves to see the UPS guy because I think he believes that "the box guy" (as he calls him) is kind of like the year round Santa with him delivering toys to me. He comes yelling at me, "Mom! It's the box guy!" One time the UPS guy told him he can do more than deliver boxes so we asked him his name. Now he is "the box guy...Ben."

19. One of Braxton's friends brings plastic scissors to church and since we sit on the bench behind them they sometimes share toys. Ever since Braxton started to borrow the scissors I decided I needed to buy him his own scissors to practice cutting with. Now whenever a box comes Braxton runs and grabs his scissors so he can open the box. He's also very excited these days to cut the tags off of items we purchase.

20. Braxton loves "his friend Jasper" who is his Uncle Gordon's horse we are boarding this summer. He really enjoys being out to the horses and he loves to help his dad with any work that needs to get done. He's actually a pretty good worker too.

21. Like most boys Braxton enjoys wrestling his dad when he's home. Kent will often lay on the floor to watch TV and as soon as he does Braxton sees him as free game for jumping on and wrestling.

22. These days Braxton has really been interested in reading books. He will get books out and look at them and if I offer to read them to him he will jump at the chance. One of his favorite books is a book about Curious George taking a trip in a rocket ship. Ever since he's read that book he has loved rockets.

23. For his birthday he got a new 12" bike and he really enjoys it. He dashes around on his bike all over the place and it appears that it is a great freedom for him. He also enjoys riding his scooter and has been very skilled for a while now in riding it.

24. He loves his cousin Kesler & grandma & grandpa. He likes to talk about them often. We have a picture of Kesler on the fridge and he'll often point to it and tell me, "Mom it's my friend Kesler." There is nothing better than watching a child take to their extended family.

25. Braxton seems to have a pretty good sense of direction as well as knowing where people live. He can easily identify his friends homes as we drive past and just the other day we passed by the street his cousin Aaron lives on and he told me, "Mom it's Aaron's house."

I am so thankful for the wonderful blessing it is to be Braxton's mom and I pray that he too will always be thankful to have me for a mom.

Gratitude & Blessings in June

2010-06-30T23:45:00.000-06:00

Wed 30 *I am thankful for a nice day spent with my son. It's far too easy to take our children for granted and sometimes it's nice to be reminded that we need to take a minute to spend time with them.
Tue 29 *I have been blessed with some great in-laws. It's nice to know there are people in the family who understand me & feel the same way I do when I want to discuss family issues.
Mon 28 *I am grateful for vacations that help us to appreciate getting back into our routines.
Sun 27 *I am thankful we were able to find a place for our family reunion and get home from the other reunion safely.
Sat 26 *I'm so thankful to know that when negativity sneaks into my mind I can get it back on track through scripture study & prayer.
Fri 25 *I am thankful to have spend time with my boys. I am also thankful to have Kent open up to me.
Thur 24 *I am thankful we were able to get everything done & got out of the house in reasonable time while headed to Kent's reunion.
Wed 23 *I have been blessed to have a very productive day preparing for Kent's family reunion.
Tue 22 *I am thankful for a wonderful four years enjoying watching Braxton grow up. He's such an enjoyable son. I'm thankful to have him in our family.
Mon 21 *I am so thankful to know I have a healthy baby whose heart is still beating strong!
Sun 20 *I was blessed to have a nice evening have cake & ice cream with my family as well as my brother's family in celebration for Braxton's birthday.
Sat 19 *I am thankful I was able to help my hostess get her $10 more in free toys. I am thankful that the Strawberry Days Boutique went well and especially thankful it is over.
Fri 18 *I am thankful for the energy to get so much of my house clean.
Thur 17 *Tonight I was blessed to have a productive evening working at the Strawberry Days Boutique.
Wed 16 *I am very thankful for the insight that I had to postpone setting up for the Strawberry Days Boutique until tomorrow.
Tue 15 *Tonight I was able to do a party that looks like it will turn out to be a good Discovery Toys party.
Mon 14 *I'm grateful for a productive day getting things ready for the rest of this week.
Sun 13 *I am thankful for my health & the opportunity to take care of me today.
Sat 12 *I have been blessed with the opportunity to help grow a garden.
Fri 11 *I am thankful for a wonderful hour sent with Kent looking at the flood waters at Murray Park as well as shopping for Braxton's birthday present.
Thur 10 *I enjoyed watching a movie with Kent this evening.
Wed 9 *I am thankful to finally have mailed off & emailed the Discovery Toys summer sales fliers.
Tue 8 *I am very thankful for a nice evening with my boys having dinner at the mall and then doing a little shopping.
Mon 7 *I have been blessed to be very productive today and get my house back to being clean.
Sun 6 *I was blessed with a wonderful evening having a barbecue in the mountains & then followed up with a beautiful evening storm & a double rainbow.
Sat 5 *I am thankful for the power of the priesthood. I am also very thankful to have a husband who holds his priesthood worthily so I can ask for a blessing at 3 am.
Fri 4 *I am thankful that Braxton's fever that got up to 103 degrees was able to break finally and he is back to normal. It is a blessing to be living in a day of so many modern medicines readily available.
Thur 3 *I feel like Kent and I are being blessed so much financially. I couldn't ask for any more from the Lord when I feel like we truly need his blessings.
Wed 2 *Today I was blessed to listen to the spirit of God when it spoke. There was not better blessing than to be able to serve my neighbor and learn more of her spirit.
Tue 1 *I am thankful Melissa invited me on a walk this evening. I am very thankful that I was able to push myself and walk around the track 4 times instead of 2 and work off some of that dessert from dinner.

It's been busy, busy, busy!!!

2010-06-20T20:55:00.003-06:00

Many of you may think I have fallen off the face of the planet, but I haven't. It seems like I had a couple of weeks the end of May where I was beginning to feel a little better, but still experiencing some "morning" (mostly mine was at night) sickness. As I started to feel better life got a little bit busier. Then it was as though the minute I was done feeling sick life kicked into full speed and I have been at that pace ever since, hence my absence. I have really kicked my Discovery Toys business back up in hgh gear and I am enjoying it. That has taken up much of my time. I have also been busy with planning for Braxton's 4th birthday coming up and getting ready for that on Tuesday as well. I also have Kent's family reunion at Fish lake coming up as well on Thursday. Between Discovery Toys, being pregnant, Braxton's birthday, Fish Lake, and the regular life I have just been busy, busy, busy.

Gratitude & Blessings in May

2010-06-02T09:37:00.000-06:00

Mon 31 *I am thankful for a nice evening with my family for a barbecue. I am also thankful for my ancestors who gave so much for me & and the service men and woman who have fought so I could keep my freedoms.
Sun 30 *I am thankful for a wonderful husband who understands my needs and desires. I am also thankful to have opened my mouth to learn of the love and concern of a stranger.
Sat 29 *I am thankful for a husband who is my best friend, a kid I love and adore, and the excitement of a child to come and bless our home again. I am expecially thankful for a life that I love!
Fri 28 *I am thankful for a new DVD player and a fantastic husband who spent the whole evening figuring out how to set everything up.
Thur 27 *I am so thankful for a great night getting back into selling Discovery Toys. It's amazing how far a little success can go.
Wed 26 *I'm thankful that I have been able to get all of my important tasks done today. I am also thankful for guidance & strength from the Lord.
Tue 25 *I am thankful for a husband who is willing to help when things do go as planned. I'm also thankful for the opportunity to get back to doing Discovery Toys parties.
Mon 24 *I am thankful that snow can melt and the sun came out.
Sun 23 *I am thankful that Jenny Carter was willing to speak so boldly with the spirit in her talk at church today. I was very inspired by her words.
Sat 22 *I have been blessed by attending the stake women's conference today.
Fri 21 *I am thankful for a nice night out to dinner with my boys.
Thur 20 *I am thankful to have spent time with my husband this evening. I miss him at night.
Wed 19 *I am thankful to know that Braxton will be able to go to the school district's preschool next year. I think that will be a great blessing for him.
Tue 18 *I am so proud of myself that instead of hoping for Kent to drop something off at the post office for me when he got home I took the time to hurry and get it done myself. I still got things done that needed to get done too and I am thankful for that.
Mon 17 *I'm so grateful that Braxton and I were able to get out of the house and go for a walk early. I am also thankful for a nice day at the park.
Sun 16 *I am grateful for the conference talk that spoke about listening with our hearts to those who speak so that I could hear the message of the speaker today despite the difficult time he had delivering his message.
Sat 15 *I am thankful for a day filled with sunshine and a clean house. I am also thankful for a nice visit with a friend who stopped by.
Fri 14 *I am thankful for a wonderful much needed evening out with my husband. I enjoy spending time with him. He truly does mean the world to me.
Thur 13 * I am thankful I was able to spend time visiting my friend Sara and her new baby. I grateful it gave Braxton a new excitement about babies.
Wed 12 *Today I was able to find a book I've been looking for since before Christmas. I'm thankful to have found it and even on sale. I'm also thankful I that even though I felt very dizzy in the store I was able to make it out safely and take care of myself.
Tue 11 *I am thankful for the rest I was able to get today. It was very needed.
Mon 10 *I am thankful I was able to think more positively when I heard some sad news about friends. I am also thankful for the health that exists in my marriage these days. I have an excellent husband and I am thankful for all the hard work he does to provide for our family!
Sun 9 *I am thankful to finally have a really good day.
Sat 8 *Today I am thankful for good foods. It was nice to have a desire to eat some healthier foods!
Fri 7 *I am thankful for the fun time I had playing guitar hero with my family at my sisters house.
Thur 6 *I'm grateful I was able to get the babies down for nap so that I could get a much needed nap. I am also thankful for the good time Braxton & I had visiting friends.
Wed 5 *I am thankful I was able to get Braxton to speech class in time despite locking the keys in the house.
Tue 4 *I'm so glad to have a wonderful husband who bought me some tomato plants as well as topsy turvy growing units. I have been so blessed to have him in my life.
Mon 3 *I am grateful we were able to get out and enjoy the park this evening with my family.
Sun 2 *I am thankful for a nice day spent with family.
Sat 1 *I'm thankful we were able to have my family over for a barbeque tonight.

Memorial Day Traditions

2010-05-30T13:50:00.004-06:00

As everyone has been making their plans for Memorial Day weekend I felt a little left out because I had no where to go, no barbecue's to attend, no special activities in mind for the long weekend. This morning I awoke from a dream that reminded me why Memorial Day has never been a time to get away from home for me. I dreamed that this beautiful and adoring woman was still alive and part of me wanted to go back to sleep and dream the dream again.

Every year on Memorial Day my mom would ask us who wanted to go with her, grandma and grandpa to place flowers on the graves of those who had passes on. I don't recall a year passing where I didn't want to go spend that time with Grandma Holdaway. I will forever be thankful to my mom & grandmother for setting that example for me. I truly feel blessed to have been influenced by such beautiful women in my life.

Ross Thrower & Erna Rogers Holdaway

It's sad for me to think that my children will never know the great people I called grandparents. I love my grandparents more and more as time goes on. Hopefully someday these few words will remind my children that they are amazing people just because of the amazing forebarers they come from.

Grandpa Holdaway was a tall man whose heart outstretched his size. His middle name was Thrower after his mothers maiden name and grandma liked to call him Ross "T" and say that the T stood for tease because he was a big tease. He had the biggest grin as he would tease too. Grandpa was a hard working dairy farmer who was usually busy doing one thing or another. He loved tending his enormous garden after he sold his cows & this was often where you'd find him. His two favorite hobbies that he enjoyed with grandma were playing card games (especially Rook), and fishing at Strawberry Reservoir. Grandpa had a fantastic singing voice and even sang with the barbershop quartet. He loved and adored my grandma & set wonderful example of how to be a husband, father, grandfather & priesthood leader. I am thankful for the legacy he has left me.

I have always wanted to be like my Grandma Holdaway. Erna Rogers was born in Snowflake, Arizona and moved to the Provo area when she was in high school. She had amazing musical skills and played piano and cello in high school. Grandma loved sewing, quilting, singing, cooking and family. She was a woman of so very many skills. She had a way of making each and every one of her grandchildren feel like they were the most special child to her. She loved to serve others. She loved to have her family gathered around her. Every family party was spectacular. She cooked so much of the food and sad to say often times took all the time cooking and still got stuck with the clean up. I never her her complain, however. She loved to create opportunities for her family to be together and enjoy each other. There is not one cousin, aunt or uncle who doesn't enjoy reminiscing about how much fun our family parties were because of the many hours she put in to make it great. I miss her dearly as well as those special memories she created for her family.

Ivan Dustin & Wilma Naomi Gibson Kunz

Grandpa Kunz was one of the hardest working men I knew. Because he was always working I didn't make much time as a child to get to know what an outstanding man he really was. I have been thankful as an adult to learn about him more through my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and writings by my grandma. Grandpa was a rather quiet man. I'm not sure if that is because he had a very talkative wife or if he just had a quiet disposition. He was quite the handy man. Even as a young man there is a story of him taking the wheels off of a baby buggy as a younger sibling slept. One of my best memories of grandpa was when they come to visit us in Oregon and grandpa was going nuts wanting a project to do as he couldn't sit for long. Finally my mom put him to work building shelves for her food storage in the garage and he was happy. That actually encompasses quite a bit of who he was. He worked as a young man to help provide for his parents family and as a father he worked very hard to provide for his own family. He is a wonderful man whose example I am truly thankful for.

Grandma Kunz was a woman I only recently learned to appreciate, but I am grateful to say that there are things I have learned about her that have helped me grow to love her. I am also very grateful to her for the histories she wrote so that I could learn more about her and my grandpa. My grandma was a woman who loved to chat. She often times would call my mom in Oregon just to visit on the phone after everyone here had gone to bed. From reading her biography she really enjoyed raising her children. She was a very spiritually inclined woman. She & grandpa were always helping others when they could. Grandpa & Grandma never had a lot of money, but they did a great job of making do with what they had.

This Memorial I am thankful for the sacrifices of those who have gone before me and set wonderful examples. I hope that I can pass on these great examples to my posterity & set as good of an example for them.

True Fortunes

2010-05-29T13:14:00.002-06:00

About a month back or so Kent, Braxton and I went to Panda Express for dinner. I think that the fortune cookie stuffers were wise beyond their cookie packing abilities because my fortune said...

A WISH WILL BE GRANTED AFTER A LONG DELAY

How in the world did they know I was pregnant? Talk about smart cookie!

Pregnancy Ailments

2010-05-19T10:24:00.002-06:00

I find myself stuck in a world of woe is me instead of truly enjoying my pregnancy and I need to get it out so I can start being strong in my mind & body. The first one is that I have been more sick this pregnancy. I tried the half a Unisom a night and Vitamin B6, but that didn't seem to help. I tried the ginger and felt it was another waste of money. There have been a few things I have found for some momentary relief. #1 is lemon drops, #2 is chewing gum, & #3 was Gatorade. Luckily I have been starting to feel less nauseated so that makes me feel better, but it is still difficult to find my energy and get back on track with all the responsibilities in my life. I feel like all I can expect of myself is to keep treading water.

The ailment that I am really struggling with the most (and one I struggled with when pregnant with Braxton) is acne. I feel like the ugliest pregnant woman alive. I see all these other women who have cute little bellies, beautiful "glowing" skin, and seem to only have a "baby bump" to prove their pregnancy and I wanna cry. Of course other women have husbands who think pregnancy is beautiful...for them it is. For me I feel like pregnancy is hideous. In a matter of months I grew back a butt the size of Texas, I've grown two baby bumps (one the baby & one the fat belly above the baby), & I have more red dots on my face than I ever had as a teenager. While make-up may cover it up it sure doesn't hide it completely. So when I think of all the women who love pregnancy I struggle to understand how they can, but realize that if I wasn't sick, huge, and polka-dotted maybe I would enjoy it more also.

While I am not a woman who enjoys this phase of life I do want to clarify one thing, I don't detest pregnancy entirely. I love feeling that movement inside my body. I love the experience of childbirth and look forward to the triumph of having another natural childbirth experience. I just struggle to enjoy the little joys above the difficulties that I myself experience. I guess that will be the challenge I will extend to myself through this pregnancy. I need to remember to enjoy the little things that lead up to bringing another child into our home.

I have been doing some research about how I can combat the pregnancy acne problem. Hopefully I can post some great successes so that when I take my first pictures with my new baby I can see truly see the beauty within myself. Please help me by asking me how I am doing on keeping up with my skin and my diet. I want to overcome these challenges and not allow myself to feel down at such an exciting time in my life. Thanks for your support!

Be Careful What You Read...

2010-05-11T16:51:00.006-06:00

This book was lent to me by a friend whom I had told about my frustrations in achieving pregnancy. I started reading this book the end of January/first of February and I have really enjoyed all of the knowledge it has given me about my body.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health, by Toni Weschler in Books

The best part about reading this book is the result it gave me...the breathing product will arrive around Thanksgiving! Ready or not it's coming... :)

Man in a Uniform

2010-05-08T20:43:00.002-06:00

Tonight as I hung Kent's new work clothes up I was reminded of how great looking I think he is in a uniform. He has picked up a second job to fill in his hours and is now delivering ice to grocery stores and gas stations for Summit Ice. In case you didn't understand before I think he is quite a handsome devil in his work clothes. They are quite the change from his dirty construction clothes he usually comes home in. His uniform consists of a pair of blue slacks with cargo pockets, a blue shirt with a company patch on one side and Kent's name on the other.

When I think of the days I used to work at the gas station back in college I recall those guys who I saw regularly and how many of them I would flirt with. I'm pretty dang sure that if Kent was one of those vendors who came into my gas station frequently I would have been sure to flirt with him. He's such a great catch and I am reminded often these days of how lucky I am that Kent picked me to spend eternity with! I am a lucky one!

Gratitude, Blessings & Service Rendered in March

2010-05-04T22:28:00.000-06:00

Tue 2 *I am thankful for a wonderful afternoon with my good friend Tia. It is so much fun to spend time with her and learn from her fitness expertise! My service today was staying just a little longer than I had planned to make sure her son was calmed down.
Mon 1 *I am thankful for a great walk inspired by my husband. It is so nice to have him confide in me. I feel priviledged to have earned his trust. My service today was working on getting the house clean to show Kent my love for him.

April's Picture Review

2010-04-29T09:19:00.002-06:00

Braxton's friend Bailey came over for the evening and the two of them had a ball!

Braxton loves to play in the snow and thought it would be fun to play with the umbrella.

Before we went to Grandma Robison's for Easter we had a pre-Easter egg hunt practice.

I do have an odd kid at times.

Check it out mom, I am a pro at this egg finding business!

Half way through the month Kent, Braxton, and I took a family vacation down to Bryce's Nation Park (for an hour due to snow still on the ground), then on to Uncle Gordon's house and back home through Zion's National Park.

Believe it or not this IS Kent happy to be on vacation.

We had to try out the new camera since I forgot to pack ours and we needed a new one anyway.

Thankfully Braxton is able to show his excitement.

This is me taking a self portrait.

Bryce's National Park was beautiful as we entered and I wish it had been just a

bit warmer so we could have enjoyed more of the park.

Braxton is showing off his muscles.

Mom to save the day!

There is nothing more precious than Braxton walking side by side with his dad.

He sure loves him.

Don't be jealous of his great sense of fashion.

My boys!

Braxton's cousin Kyli is a ham for the camera.

Friday after we got to Kanab we went & played at the park in town and then it was home for dinner and after we went to Johnson Canyon to check out lots and lots of deer. Braxton loved looking through the binoculars for them. We all enjoyed the drive.

Nothing like an old western movie set out in the middle of nowhere.

Checking out the deer.

Saturday we did a Discovery Toys open house at Holly's house. Despite the fact that it gave her stress and anxiety it was a good party. After that we went to watch the Kanab High Alumni baseball games. IT WAS A BLAST. After spending the whole afternoon with Braxton and Kent at the baseball field I felt like I was more in love with Kent than ever!

On the way home we drove through Zion's National Park and loved seeing the rocks on the East side of the park. It was a real treat because it was free park weekend.

We stopped at the shuttle bus stop and took a ride up the canyon to the Emerald Pools.

It was about a 2 miles hike up and back and Braxton hiked most of it. He did great!

This is the bottom pool.

You can't deny Kent even enjoyed himself.

It's always amazing to me what mother nature can do.

The views were breathtaking.

I have to get in every hug possible while I still can.

Before we got to the top fall we were pretty tired and almost debated turning around, but just a few more feet and it was a beautiful oasis that was probably about 10 degrees cooler.

It was so nice.

Braxton just chillin' on a rock while we were at the top pool.

Anyone who hasn't been to Zion's National Park should really consider going.

It is a beautiful creation here on earth.

There is Sunshine in my Soul Today

2010-03-14T13:07:00.004-06:00

Anyone who reads my blog knows the struggle I have with seasonal depression. Knowing this has made me more aware of how the weather affects me. The other day I was thinking how annoying it was that a cloudy day was getting me down so quickly. If only it didn't have to affect me that way. Suddenly the words to hymn #227 came into my mind and hit me in a way I had never thought of before.

"There is sunshine in my soul today, more glorious and bright than glows in any earthly sky, For Jesus is my light."

I have sung this song all my life and never once thought about the message. This is not merely a song of gratitude for glorious sunny days, but more a boost of mental sunshine because of our joy in having the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What a glorious way to learn. We have no control over the weather or the sky outside, but no one can take the sunshine out of our souls as long as we allow Jesus to be our light. What a wonderful and beautiful thought. What an inspired gift from God to give me that light and understanding at that moment. How blessed we are by the hymns of the restored gospel!!!

I had to go sit down to the piano and play that song. I wanted to listen to the music and ponder more on those words. As I got into the spirit of the music I moved on to the next page in the hymnbook and these were the words I read, "You can make the pathway bright, Fill the soul with heavens light, If there's sunshine in your heart; Turning darkness into day, As the shadows fly away, If there's sunshine in your heart today. If there's sunshine in your heart, You can send a shining ray that will turn the night to day; And your cares will all depart, If there's sunshine in your heart today."

The thought entered my mind that not only can I have sunshine in my life, but I can go and share that sunshine with others. Why wouldn't I want to share love and joy with others if Jesus is my light and my joy. He Lord truly is my light and why should I fear? (The Lord is my Light, hymn 89).

The scripture that inspired the hymn, There's is Sunshine in My Soul Today is in Isaiah 60:19 (and I'll add verse 20) "19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

If ever a down and depressing day comes your way think of the "sunshine & light" hymns and you too will find that "there is sunshine in your soul today!"

Life's Lessons

2010-03-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

It's interesting to me how the Lord gives personal revelations to us. My friend had subscribed to an email that would share Christian messages that always began with "On this day I believe the Lord wants you to know..." I'm sure the person writing these had the best of intentions, but they just never seemed to hold the truth that the Lord truly wanted ME to know. One day while reading an email the thought came to my mind, 'How does he know what the Lord wants me to know better than I know what the Lord wants me to know?' The answer was that he didn't, but the idea inspired me with the idea to write "Daily Letters" from God to myself.

Now this only sparked the idea I hadn't started to write these "Daily Letters," until I was having a very difficult day on February 14th. As I laid down that night the Lord reminded me that there was something he wanted me to know, by means of my own writing. I got out the paper a pen and wrote something that I'd like to share with you in hopes that it will inspire you to ask God what he would want you to know in your life.

"My Dear Daughter Marlies,

Today you struggled and allowed Satan to control your mind. I wish you had knelt down and prayed for my strength and protection. I love you! You are my beautiful daughter whom I designed in my own image. I desire for you to remember just how much I love you.

This afternoon you cried and asked 'why should I care about my life when no one else does?' Marlies, there are MANY people who care VERY much. Your spirit has touched the life of so many people. Even still it wouldn't matter if the entire world was against you for I give you all; your food, your shelter, your family, your friends, the love in your life, and everything you have. I am perfect and I love you and that should be enough.

Please come to me and allow me to strenghten you through these trails. I desire to bless your life. Did you not see that I put into your husbands mind to ask you to go on a walk with him? I also asked another child of mine to drop off cookies to you to remind you that I am not the only one who loves you. Marlies, love me, listen to me and allow me to make you into the daughter I want you to be. You'd be amazed what I can make of you. I love you my daughter and I pray that you know that and that you might spread that message to others!

Love, Your Father in Heaven"

I pray that you know that your Father in Heaven loves you and that you may be reminded of the difference you make in the lives of those you touch. You have more capacity for good than you can imagine. Keep sharing that love and message with all those you come in contact with. I love you all!
Marlies

Gratitude, Blessings & Service Rendered in February

2010-03-01T00:07:00.001-07:00

Sun 28 *I am thankful for the wonderful time spent with family. It is such a joy to watch family sit down and enjoy each others at a family dinner. My service today was missing out on my ward conference to support Kent's dad being called to the position of Bishop.
Sat 27 *I am thankful to watch Braxton and his grandma enjoy each other! My service today was taking the time to stop off and visit Kent's Grandma Jean. We decided we need to take the time to visit Grandpa Phil and Grandma Jean more often.
Fri 26 *I am thankful for those moments when I catch a true glimpse of the wonderful and handsome man I married. I am so blessed to have such a great man in my life. Today my service was sharing my peanut butter sandwich with Braxton as I hadn't realized until we were on the way to Meadow that Kent hadn't fed Braxton when he ate.
Thur 25 *I am thankful I was able to get out and take a walk as I listened to conference on my MP3. My service today was taking the time to stop by and visit my neighbor to see how she was doing on such a gray and dreary day. I also took the time to visit with a friend on the phone, and Kent and I watched three kids for two difference friends.
Wed 24 *I am thankful I was able to get some rest so I could get rid of my migraine. My service today was first taking care of myself so I could get better and secondly sending out a text to many women in the ward reminding them that there was a Relief Society meeting that night.
Tue 23 *The Lord blessed me today with more naps for both of the girls although short it was nice to get a quite break. My service today was taking the time to visit with my neighbor and introducing her to our other neighbor who can help her through her divorce.
Mon 22 *Today I have been blessed with fantastic mental health. I don't know how the day could have gone more perfect. I feel really good about my day today! My service was giving up my healthy dinner so we could make it to see the Princess and the Frog. What a great time we spent together.
Sun 21 *The Lord has blessed me with a better nursery group than primary group and a great sacrament meeting. My service was going over and helping Melissa cheer up when her really good friend left to move to CA. I also took the time to reassure the Primary President she was not the only one being avoided by my other neighbors.
Sat 20 *Today I was blessed with some great shopping for Kent, Braxton and even more so myself. My service today is not getting mad that Kent wanted to go to bed at 8:00 pm.
Fri 19 *My day has been blessed by the Lord giving me the strength of mind to get in at least 20 minutes of exercise. My service today was dropping a loaf of bread and a card to a woman who suffers more from depression than I do.
Thur 18 *I have been so blessed to have wonderful friend who make time for me even though they have moved away. My service today was attending the temple especially when I just wanted to stay home.
Wed 17 *I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who loves me and takes care of me when the day has not gone well. My service today was taking the time to visit with a friend who wanted to talk.
Tue 16 *I am thankful for 30 years of a wonderful life with great friends and wonderful family. The Lord also blessed me with the most georgous sunshine today. My service today was to make waffles for my friends and provide a brunch for all of us to spend time to together. I also served myself by taking time to go running.
Mon 15 *I am thankful for a full day with friends. I was able to go to Ikea with Emily, lunch with Tia, and talk on the phone with Jay. My service was putting off chores to spend time with friends.
Sun 14 *I am thankful that I have been surrounded by family this evening. My serivce today was dropping off gifts for new mothers of babies and preparing for a family night with my siblings and their families.
Sat 13 *I am thankful for a day with nice temperatures and the opportunity to get out of the house. My service was helping my friend pack and move to her new home.
Fri 12 *I am thankful Braxton was able to get a much needed nap so he could feel better after being sick this morning. I am also thankful for the skills of those who put together the olympic opening ceremonies. I have enjoyed spending time with my brother Devin today. My service today was waking up at 4:30 am to allow my neighbor to bring her kids over to my house to sleep while she went to work. Anyone who knows me knows that is quite a sacrific even if I do get to go back to sleep.
Thurs 11 *I am thankful I was able to get some Valentine's in the mail from Braxton. My service was taking the time to visit with a friend on the phone.
Wed 10 *I know that my Father in Heaven is helping me to find joy & strength in this time of year. I am grateful for His help and a great workout today. My service today was waking Kent up since he was late to work and asking what I could do to help him get ready.
Tue 9 *I am thankful for a very productive day here at home. My service today was taking the time out of my day to lay down with the babies.
Mon 8 *I am thankful Kent suggested we take a much needed walk this evening, and I am thankful for the enlightenment the scripture bring to my mind. My service today was taking the time to get Discovery Toys packages mailed out, ordering a replacement part for someone, and mailing out another persons party invitations.
Sun 7 *I am thankful for a nice long nap to get some of my rest back. My service today was cleaning the house while I allowed Kent to enjoy watching the Super Bowl.
Sat 6 *I am so thankful for a wonderful weekend provided by Kent's parents. It's nice to have a fun activity with the family. My Service today was working hard to not be grouchy due to Kent waking me up WAY too early.
Fri 5 *I am thankful that my son has learned to love his Grandma. There is nothing better than having your son see his Grandma and take off running! My Service today was taking the time to call my friend back when I was busy packing things to get out of the house.
Thur 4 *It's amazing how the Lord blesses Kent and I in our finances. A bill we should have had the money to pay off is now paid off and we have been able to pay all the rest of our bills also. My service today was taking the time to cut up vegetables so my family will have quick and healthy snacks.
Wed 3 *I was blessed today with the ability to schedule my so as to get more accomplished than I thought I'd be able to. My service was giving my time to help out a friend with her dance class Braxton attends.
Tue 2 *I am thankful for the understanding my mom gave me and the insight she helped me to have as to her feelings. My service today was allowing my neighbor to use my shower since her hot water was turned off.
Mon 1 *I am thankful for a needed call from my Tia which I am certain was prompted by the spirit, overcoming my depressed spirit and getting out into the sunshine to go running, and sitting down to practice the piano (something I need to do more in my life). My Service today was the service of taking care of myself when I needed a little love and care.

The Lord Loveth...

2010-02-24T22:03:00.002-07:00

I just needed to share my perfect day after my previous blog about life getting me down. Monday I woke up said prayers and read my scripture first thing in the morning. Then I had the most healthy breakfast of eggs and toast and a banana (i know such a girl thing to list your food lol). After breakfast Braxton and I got ready to take him to the little dance class my friend is teaching for free. Although I knew I didn't have very much time I ran to the shoe store to see if I had purchased the right shoe size on my red shoes...I was happy to find out that I had. Since I had about 15 minutes I decided to hurry and run to get Kent and I some new garments. I returned just in time to pick up Braxton. Before returning home I stopped off at my friends house to use their treadmill. Ahhh it was the BEST workout. I sweat and worked my body well.

We hurried home in time to get Braxton some lunch and me a shower and then the babies came. No usually when the babies come my life gets difficult, but this day was like I said perfect! I laid the youngest down for her nap and the older of the two looked tired as she lay down on the floor. She doesn't like to be alone so she feels like you are punishing her when you try and put her to sleep so I had an idea. I turned on soft music, laid a blanket over her here in the front room and waited for her to fall asleep while I quietly did things with Braxton and ate lunch. She was out. YES!!! Two babies sleeping! Braxton and I then went in to clean up his room and then he helped me with the laundry. Of course because the babies we doing well the grandma came early which left us time to get a thing or two done before Kent came home.

To top the whole night off Kent decided we needed to go to a movie for family night. So we went to see The Princess and the Frog which was SO much fun to watch Braxton dance and enjoy the songs. As much as I enjoyed movies as a kid I have to say it is so much more fun to watch your kids enjoy a movie as a parent! In addition to all these wonderful things Monday the sun shone brightly. It may have been very cold due to the wind, but it was a beautiful day of sunshine and joy and I thank the Lord for granting me a much needed nearly perfect day!

In Case You were Wondering...

2010-02-18T11:11:00.001-07:00

*I posted this on my exercise blog and decided you all needed to know where my thought are too...
It seems that these days exercise is a luxury. I do however really enjoy it when I can get it in. Of course with that struggle to exercise comes the crappy eating...which brings on the weight gain...which get me more depressed...which makes my desire to exercise all the more difficult, however, I WILL NOT GIVE IN! I am fighting to get in any workout that I can. I know that it is my best defense against my depression, against my weight gain, against my cravings. I just know that the minute I allow those struggles to take over I will be admitting defeat to my adversary and that is just not good enough for me. I WILL keep my body healthy! I WILL keep my mind positive! I WILL overcome this trial that winter brings me. Truly while right now is a much more difficult time of year for me I can tell you that all the things I am doing to combat it are helping. I still have those hard days, but they are not as hard or depressing as they were last year. I still struggle to be happy, but I am still happier than I was last year. LOL As the Supreme's said, "I WILL SURVIVE!!!!" Keep checking up on me and remind me I can make it, because I KNOW I CAN!

I'd rather cross the plain with a handcart!

2010-02-14T22:19:00.004-07:00

Not that anyone seems to read this anymore, but I thought I would document what is going on for my own benefit. My February Funk has hit. My mind is sufficating. I am again at that point where I am holding on by the skin of my teeth. I have tried to use a light therapy light which has helped a little. I had myself tested on my levels of Vitamin D (I was low. Like 21 and 32 to 100 is normal) and was prescribed a high dose of Vitamin D. I took it on Saturday morning and don't feel much different. The part that is most frusterating is that I am not just lying down and taking it and acting as if I can do nothing. No! I am fighting to have a sound mind every day, but I find myself upset over the smallest of things. I find myself blaming Kent for more than his share. I find myself struggling to push those negative thoughts out of my head, but they seem to attack me from all sides. When I get outside and exercise I do notice it helps, but so much of my brain is fighting that desire and making me want to lay in bed and (or sit in the house) and do nothing. I feel inside like I am paddling for all I am worth in the water and every time I see something to grab a hold of I feel like it's a false hope. I hate feeling this way, but I am so thankful to know that I only have to hold on until spring hits. Once the sun comes back I know that my mind will go back to normal like it always does. I just keep holding on hoping I can make it through one more day as I get closer to the spring.

Feb1st-Feb 7th

2010-02-08T00:13:00.001-07:00

*7 Services Weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*7 gratitudes weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*Spend 15 Minutes 5 times a Week Outdoors
...6 of 7 days
*95% daily prayer (6+ days a week)
...4 of 7 days
*95% daily scripture study (6+ days a week)
...6 of 7 days (a couple of days it was only a verse or two so room to improve next week)
*Track finances 7 times a week.
...2 of 7 (getting better)

Goals for 25th-31st

2010-02-08T00:11:00.001-07:00

WEEKLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
*7 Services Weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*7 gratitudes weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*Spend 15 Minutes 5 times a Week Outdoors
...3 out of 7
*95% daily prayer (6+ days a week)
...4 out of 7
*95% daily scripture study (6+ days a week)
...4 out of 7
*Track finances 7 times a week.
...1 of 7 (TINY bit better)

Visit Teach Monthly
...3 out of 6 for January

Gratitude, Blessings & Service Rendered in January

2010-02-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sun 31 *I am thankful for wonderful friends who came to eat and play games with us. I enjoyed making dinner for my friends and family.
Sat 30 *What a wonderfully busy day. I was grateful to host a baby shower for my friend Jill at my house. I was also grateful for the gratitude of all her friends thanking me for having it at my house. I was also blessed to be able to attend my Aunt Jeanette's 70th birthday celebration. My service was all the work that went into preparing for Jill's shower.
Fri 29 *I am thankful for answered prayers & that I was able to help Gordon & Holly by watching the boys while Gordon had his eye surgery. My service was also my gratitude.
Thurs 28 *I am thankful for a busy day full of service and the time I have to offer all that service. My many services today included watching my friend Melanie's little boy, watching a neighbors 3 kids while she packed the house to move, then running and getting some things from the store for a sick neighbor as well as picking up her kids from daycare, then watching another neighbors two girls while she took her boy to the Dr. to fix a broken bone.
Wed 27 *I am thankful for a good attitude and mental outlook when my efforts to have a party only resulted in two people in attendance. It's nice to be ok with things not turing out as I had planned. I know that the Lord will still help me reach my goals. My service today was everything I did to offer a fun party and great products to all my friends.
Tue 26 *I was blessed with being able to make a fantastic batch of bread because I forgot to set the timer. It made me realize that prehaps I have been overcooking my bread. I am also thankful I was able to finish reading my book tonight and I am thankful for the lessons about the atonement that it taught me. My service today was making a great batch of bread for my family while watching the Biggest Loser.
Mon 25 *Today the Lord blessed me with beautiful warm sunshine, a great, but quick run, and wonderful family time. We practiced that song we are learning in Primary and Braxton wanted to hold the pictures like we do in primary. It was cute. I was able to serve Angie by allowing her to drop the babies off early today.
Sun 24 *I am thankful for a wonderful husband who was happy that I went out and got a walk in the sunshine instead of staying home and getting him a birthday dinner. I sure do love his understanding and love for me. My service was inviting my friend to get out of the house and take a walk with me.
Sat 23 *Today I am thankful for a wonderful husband who thought it would be fun to go up to Park City and find some sun for me...unfortunately the storm was there too. lol I sure appreciate him thinking of me and my needs! For my service today I dug in my heels and got the dishes done that I didn't want to do so that Kent wouldn't have to do them.
Fri 22 *I am thankful that Kent was able to help his brother and sister-in-law out today and that they were able to return to Meadow safely. My service was allowing Kent to go take care of them and meet me at the gymnastics meet later instead of being selfish and mad that the plans were changing.
Thur 21 *I am thankful for great health care from a wonderful midwife. I don't know what I would do without her. For my service today I agreed to have less of my own time by allowing Angie to drop the babies off early.
Wed 20 *I have been blessed to get in another great 3 mile + workout in the great outdoors with quality clean air. Today I not only took the time to drive Danielle to her Dr. appointment Kent and I also drove to Orem and Provo to pick up matresses for our new neighbors kids.
Tue 19 *Today I was blessed to get a nice 30 minutes of running in because I was able to get more slime to repair my stroller tires. I think even Braxton enjoyed the outdoor time. Danielle called and asked me to take her to the Dr. office and I took her and waited for her to finish so I could give her a ride home as well.
Mon 18 *I am thankful for a morning where I woke up before the sun @ 7:30 and still wanted to get out of bed and start my day because I felt so good. I am also thankful for a therapy light that seems to be helping me. Today I was able to do quite a bit of service. I scraped the walks at the church and I watched kids for a neighbor who helped another neighbor with a ride to the store.
Sun 17 *I am thankful for the wonderful spirit of stake conference and for the personal revelations available to those who attend those meetings. I am always amazed that when I get outside of myself and work on my visiting teaching that I always seem to find it blesses me as much as it does them. I'm also thankful for the opportunity to feed the missionaries.
Sat 16 *I never understood how attached I was to the sun until today when driving up towards Park City I found it above the inversion and it literally brought tears to my eyes because I needed it so much!!! I am so thankful for the sun and all the life it gives to this world. I am also thankful for it's symbolic nature as it turns us toward the son of God whose light we also depend on. My service was small today, but I hope still greatly appreciated. I took the time tonight to invite my neighbor to stake conference tomorrow.
Fri 15 *I am thankful for a wonderful night out with Kent to the gymnastics meet. I am also thankful for the opportunity to help my new neighbor move in and also for the opportunity to watch a neighbors kids while she went out running which gave me a chance to go out running as well.
Thur 14 *I am thankful for the blessing of exercise and I am thankful that I have learned how important it is in my mental and physical health. Today my service was to help a friend out with an uncomfortable situation.
Wed 13 *Today I am thankful for the beautiful sun and better air quality. I am also thankful for the transportation I have at my fingertips. Whether I need to run somewhere quickly in my car or take my time on foot I am thankful for the ability to get where I need to go. My service today was taking a woman I know from church up to the U to a doctors appointment.
Tue 12 *I am thankful for emails that come and tell me when to shop. I am excited to finally have some warm snow pants from Eddie Bauer for playing in the snow. I am also thankful that I decided to wait and see if they went on sale even more even if I didn't get my absolute favorite color. Today my service was also my thriftiness in glueing Braxton's sole back on his boot.
Mon 11 *I have been amply blessed to have found a group of friends who genuinely enjoys the company of one another. It has been such a blessing to have good friend who bring enjoyment into my life. I am thankful for a great night playing games with them tonight. As a service today I was able to give Braxton a much needed hair cut and I feel that I did an OK job. I hope to touch it up tomorrow. I am also thankful for skills that save me money.
Sun 10 *I am thankful for a good nap that seemed to be needed today. I was able to be of service by picking up the small chairs at the end of Primary today. I love that Braxton saw two that I missed and helped me out. He's such a great helper.
Sat 9 *I am thankful for my new Discovery Toys business. It has been a step in the right direction and I really enjoy it. I am thankful for the opportunity to lead the music at Jaidyn's baptism tonight. There was a beautiful spirit there.
Fri 8 *I feel so blessed to have had a nice free date tonight with Kent. Hot tub and massages are a great date. As hard as it was to give up my time off I was able to help out and watch the babies when their mom/aunt was in a crunch.
Thur 7 *I am so grateful that my friend Jill called and asked if Braxton wanted to go the the McDonald's playland with her and Baylee. It was nice to have him out of my hair so I could get some things done today. I served my son today by helping him with a blow out in his pull-up when I was tired of the daily tasks.
Wed 6 *I am so thankful Braxton has been able to join the speech class. I can already see where his speech has improved because of it. Today I served my family by going grocery shopping and being careful to stay within a budget.
Tue 5 *What a blessing for my friend Melanie to call up and ask me to go to Ikea with her. I really needed something to get me out of the house. I am thankful for the blessing on serving Braxton at 4:00 am as he awoke from a bad dream. It truly is a blessing to be able to comfort him.
Mon 4 *I am thankful I was able to spend the day with my brother today. I am also glad to have been able to make some bread for him to take to school as well as some for my family.
Sun 3 *I am thankful for the help of the Lord in our lives. Kent was able to help out a man in the ward who is looking for a job who in turn is trying to pull some strings of his own to help Kent get into school.
Sat 2 *I am thankful to be at Kent's sisters house eating so much better than I have been. It doesn't take long for me to miss the way I feel when I eat right.
Fri 1 *I am thankful for a great day exploring the possibilities of technology with Kent's brother-in-law Kevin.

Week of January 18th-24th

2010-02-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

*7 Services Weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*7 gratitudes weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*Spend 15 Minutes 5 times a Week Outdoors
...5 out of 7
*95% daily prayer (6+ days a week)
...5 out of 7
*95% daily scripture study (6+ days a week)
...7 out of 7
*Track finances 7 times a week.
...0 of 7 (not so good at all this week.)

Happy Due Date Baby

2010-01-29T23:31:00.002-07:00

There is one thing that needs to be documented for my own purposes. Today was the due date of my second pregnancy. We lost this little soul at 9 week old and didn't know until about 12 weeks. We had to do a D and C because there were no signs of my body passing the fetus. At times I have questioned God as to why he gave me a child if only to take it away, but I think nine months later I have at least one answer. This little angel was sent to save the life of her mom and dad.

I'll be honest. About this time last year Kent and I had hit one of those "bad times" they speak of in marriage. We weren't completely unhappy or in danger of divorce or anything like that but our marriage was lacking the life and love that we had once felt. I was feeling like it was really struggling and needed some life breathed into it. The Lord knew that and He also knew how to rekindle our hearts. We were growing closer again as spring arrived, but I wouldn't say that we had become deeply in love again. That began to change as we had that joy of knowing we had created a life together.

We were a little leary of having another child because it was such an adjustment when we had Braxton, but the more we felt our child was to be a daughter the more we got excited. Sadly I didn't know how excited and how much I wanted her until the day I would find out that I had lost her. I'll most likely never forget that long drive to get the ultra sound when I pleaded with the Lord to let me keep my child. I really did want that baby.

I won't go into the details because at this point I don't see them being as important as the result. After about two weeks of sorrow, grief, and then recovery for both of us I learned to turn to the Lord and Kent for support. Kent was my rock and my hero. It wasn't until I started to feel I was overcoming my grief that Kent showed his feeling of grief. He had put aside his greiving and stayed by my side to be my strength. Now 6 months later I feel a connection to Kent that brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and I am so thankful for that child who touched our lives briefly and helped me to fall more in love with her father. I for one believe that there was a soul attached to that body and I feel very connected to her. I don't know how things will work out in the hereafter, but I am thankful that I was allowed to see with clear eyes the wonderful man who I can call my best friend! Thank you baby! Happy due date.

WEEKLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2010-01-24T23:35:00.001-07:00

Jan. 11th through Jan. 17th
*7 Services Weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*7 gratitudes weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*Spend 15 Minutes 5 times a Week Outdoors
...4 out of 5 this week.
*Follow a Schedule 5 times a Week
...5 out of 5 this week.
*95% daily prayer (6+ days a week)
...6 days!
*95% daily scripture study (6+ days a week)
...6 days!
*Track finances 7 times a week.
...two out of 7...still needs some work.

Beauty All Around

2010-01-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

I feel like today I need to post about an experience that I thought I had posted about last year, but I can't seem to find now. Last year about this time of year I was feeling very bogged down by the wickedness of this world and the choices I was seeing others make. It made me very sad to watch others destroy their lives. One particular day I was headed to my friend Tia's house and saw a billboard on the roadside showing all the beautiful spring flowers on temple square that simply stated, "There is beauty all around."

The spirit stated to me that there indeed was beauty all around and it was not only in the landscape, but there were also beautiful people make good choices. He reminded me that I needed to focus on the beauty around me and stop looking for the storms in world around me and I would see how truly beautiful the world was. It is true and I am thankful for that small and simple lesson.

As I look for the beauty around me I find that people really are good and that there are many beautiful souls upon the earth who are of good hearts. There will always be sin and sorrow, but if we look to Jesus Christ he will be the light that our souls need in a dark and dreary world. I am thankful for the light the son brings into my life. The Lord truly is my light!

Goal tracking: Weekly accomplishments

2010-01-17T21:03:00.001-07:00

Jan. 4th through Jan. 10th
*7 Services Weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*7 gratitudes weekly (record in gratitude journal)
*Spend 15 Minutes 5 times a Week Outdoors
...Got 100% on this one!
*Follow a Schedule 5 times a Week
...We did fairly well with this. I think it was 4 days this week.
*95% daily prayer (6+ days a week)
...I think this was 5 of 7 days
*95% daily scripture study (6+ days a week)
...I think I hit 6 of 7 days.
*Track finances 7 times a week.
...I got things in order to do this, but it still needs work to become a daily habit.