That's my man!

This past weekend J and I spent the weekend in St. George...biking (J), sewing (me), eating, laying out, swimming, napping and totally kid less! It was such a fun mini vacation! I can't think of anything better than just laying out and eating all weekend and J is totally content riding his bike in 100+ heat (whatever floats your boat hun)so it was an ideal weekend for the both of us. We stayed with my awesome aunt, uncle and cousins which made the trip all the more wonderful!

My cousins Tara and Jason and my Aunt Pam and Uncle Steve...J rides with Tara and Steve while Jason, Pam and I lay out and swim...perfect set up if you ask me!





All of J's biking and training (yes, even his late night laps around the neighborhood for hours) paid off this weekend when he won a GOLD medal as well as a SILVER medal in the Summer Games in Cedar City! I have no idea what on earth drives him to peddle his little heart out in 105 degree weather, totally clothed, but he rocked! He competed in 3 races and took a medal in 2...pretty impressive babe!

Doesn't he look hot in spandex?!?





Good Job Baby!



J has had his fair share of bike wrecks so I'm happy to say...all my nagging paid off when he came home safe and sound without a scratch. However, there were a couple wrecks, one which was too nasty I didn't have the heart to take a picture of his torn off face, but the other not so bad. His wife wouldn't even look at him after his wreck knowing how much money they'd be forking over to replace his bike...they get mighty spendy when they're worth as much as a car. I had to laugh...I'd be reaming J out, poor guy! Here's a little road rash all for a chance at a medal...



Our cute pedicures...thanks Pammy!



Sewing away until the wee hours of the night!



J views himself as "cultured" so I thought I'd surprise him one night and get tickets to Les Miserables at the Tuacahn Theatre. Needless to say it was such a blast! It was so serene (not sure what that means, but hey, sounded good:)) being outside in the mountains, listening to crickets chirp, with a warm breeze watching an incredible play. This was one time where J's "culture" and "matureness" finally paid off!

We hit up a yummy Mexican joint prior to the play..MmMmmmm...



At the Tuacahn for our "cultural" experience...



I came home thinking I wanted to move to St. George (regardless of the fact my hair goes flat and limp in the heat)and J quickly reminded me I would have children in St. George if it became our home, so my dream quickly faded. But I absolutely love sewing till 1AM, sleeping in, laying by the pool reading my hollywood gossip magazines, getting all dolled up at night and going to eat. So not really reality, but a whole lot of fun!

Here's to amazing dads...

I love Father's Day...besides the fact that I get to change all the poopy diapers, get up early with the kids and take care of them all by myself all day...it's the perfect day to really think about what a wonderful, loving hubby and dad I have. I feel so lucky that my children have been blessed with such an incredible, loving, fun dad. J is absolutely the most wonderful dad and is by far their best buddy. Landon just lights up when he walks in from work and Binnie bounces up and down grinning from ear to ear when da-da comes home! He is a wonderful example to me and the munchkins and I feel so lucky to have you honey! Thank you for the many late nights you pull cause I can't manage to open my eyes in the middle of the night, for getting them both ready and to church all on your own each Sunday so I can go early, for making them dinner far more than I ever do, teaching them, holding them and mostly for loving them! I love you babe!



Now to my dad...yesterday I had the opportunity to speak in church at my parents ward about my dad and the values he has instilled in me that have guided me throughout my life. Each year the bishopric in his ward asks children who are grown and have moved away to come back and speak for Father's Day. It's a total surprise so the dads don't know if their child is speaking until they see them sitting on the stand, it's actually really neat. I was of course terrified since I don't have a way with words and my dad has written every talk I've ever given, so I was on my own to somehow give my dad all the honor and credit he deserves. As I reflected on all my dad has done for me throughout my life and the strength and confidence he's given me, I was brought to tears time and time again. My dad has been such an example to me in so many ways...I love him so much and I think the absolute world of him!

Thank you dad for being a wonderful grandpa and an amazing dad!

A must have....for your children's sake!

So, a few weeks ago I got together with a couple gals to celebrate a friends birthday...as we're eating and chatting one of them brings up the horribleness (yea, I know that's not a word, but that's as good as it gets at 12 AM) anyhow, she goes on to describe how heart wrenching it is to have sick children(which she had at the time)and to watch them so helplessly knowing you can't take the pain away. So then I, yes I, have the audacity to pipe up and heartlessly say, "Yea, my kids just don't get sick, I'm lucky." Well, Elisa you'll be glad to hear that I have been eating my words for the last 3 weeks.

A week after this conversation Landon got a horrible wheezing cough which led to pneumonia...4 days later, bless his heart, he had a double ear infection...3 days later Brynley too had a double ear infection...3 days later she woke up with a fever of 102* which lasted three days...tonight, Landon wakes up screaming hysterically because he's "on fire", with yup...a 103* temperature. Talk about eating your words!

What a wake up call to the realities of motherhood...which leads me to the above picture. Your asking yourself, "how on earth can outdoor rocking chairs possibly have an effect on children?" Well ladies, here is your chance to shop :)and the hubby can't say no, after all it's for your children's health and safety :). I have used these recently purchased rocking chairs almost every night the past couple weeks, to break the many fevers that accompany pneumonia, earaches and temperatures for no apparent reasons. These trusty little chairs have been my saving grace when I can't seem to get their fevers to break. So, a little rock in the middle of the night on the front porch in the cool fresh air has been life saving...to my kiddos, my sleep and my sanity. However, they must be bought in pairs because you never know when your darling neighbor is up with a sick child and she too needs a fever to break. So, when she peers out the window to see you rocking at 1 AM she can pull up a rocker beside you and keep you company until your little munchkins catch a break. (Thanks for the company Maria...it makes chilly nights on the porch so much easier to bear:))

So, there you have it, I'm a senseless friend who is slapped up side the head with the realities of being a mom and my little rocking chairs are my best friends these days!

(You can purchase them at Lowes...I promise you won't live to regret them...they can obviously hold 2 bodies at once without collapsing while rocking and also come in handy for your children's "popsicle parties" on the front porch as well...happy shopping!)