Week 35 - New Beginnings

I entered this week with some apprehension and excitement. It has been a crazy summer--I was SO grateful for Jenna being able to babysit this year--it was good training for her (there were definitely some rough sibling rivalry days in the process) and a tremendous help for me. I didn't get in to the office as much as I should have, and my schedule was chaotic trying to be between multiple places and not go crazy, but we survived!





I had grand intentions of getting people up early the week before, but I found myself loving the extra time to read scriptures and study in the morning, and I failed to wake them. So the first day of school was a tad bit hard to peel the eyes open and get out of bed.

Everyone was so excited...ready to go back and excited to see who would be in their classes and how this year will go.

Jenna is in 6th grade this year--she will continue piano lessons and will be starting up clarinet as well. She is paying for both her piano lessons and her clarinet rental from her own money---she and Kaden are the newest employees at our office, and sheis really excited to have her own checking account and debit card, along with the responsibilities that come with it.

Kaden is in 4th grade this year--his last year at the elementary school. He is really excited to have one of his teachers be a sweet woman who we go to church with. He is doing piano again this year as well, and is also really excited about his new job. He is the office janitor--officially on payroll and also beams about having his new bank account. He keeps asking for a uniform--which I think is really funny--but I may have to work something out to get him one. :)

Spencer is in 3rd grade this year. Brandon and I both really liked his teacher and hope he has a great year! Because he is 8 now, he got to choose 1 extracurricular activity to do (that has been our rule), and he chose soccer. We have what feels like an insane fall--even though practice is only 1 day a week and there is only 1 game a week, it ended up landing on the busiest night we have--so we are hanging on tight and preparing for the ride.

Carter is starting kindergarten--this was a tough call because he is a new 5 (in July). But he wanted to go, and it was a better option than the preschool here--so we ended up putting him in. We will see how this goes--he is SO shy. But he also has the FUNNEST personality and can talk your ear off and love you to pieces once he knows you. So hopefully he will warm up quickly and have a great year!

Josie--Between errands and social outings and sickness, we really haven't had a routine this week! It is making me C.R.A.Z.Y! She ended up having strep throat--which I am relieved to figure out because she was a bear! I am really anxious to figure out how our days will work and how to fit everything in.

Speaking of Josie...she got a little hair trim this week and can proudly wear little piggy tails in her hair, which is the CUUUUTEST ever!



(my poor girl--sick! )


The weekend before school started, Brandon took the kids camping in our backyard. We have owned this tent for 4 years--it's been in the same box it was shipped in--no joke. We just kept only needing our smaller tent when we camped, so this laid hidden away. It was fun to set it up and see how it works. We will have to put it to good use now that we have it out!



I always love new beginnings--fresh new start. New shoes that shine, crisp paper, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, and the chance to start new routines and break up the old. I feel that rejuvenation to be better and do better than I did before. Change is hard--but change is also good.

May this year be one of growth and good--
Happy Sunday.

Week 33 - A dozen reasons to love you...

Dear Brandon,

12 years ago I was waking from a night with very little sleep--I had the jitters like crazy and just could not wait to marry you a few hours later. I hurried, excitedly, through the motions of getting ready for the day, and then we rushed across town to get to the temple in time.

There was a lot that went on the day we got married--but one of the moments that stands out so clear is when we were in the temple and they brought me out to see you, and sit by you before going in the room where we would become husband and wife. Those precious few minutes we waited together were truly a slice of heaven for me. I couldn't imagine anything more perfect right then.

 I have held on to that image and those feelings when times were tough--when things weren't so perfect. Boy have we had our share of ups and downs! I have been thinking this week about what this day means. In a way it's the birthday of our family! As I look as what we have created together--5 beautiful, crazy, amazing kids--and I look at the moves we have made, the trials, long days, short nights, answered prayers, the really hard decisions and all of the things that make our life what it is today, I cannot help but feel truly blessed to have done this all with you by my side.

I know that I tend to hold back sometimes--and I get distracted with life and often forget to tell you the reasons I love you. So in honor of 12 big years together...I wanted to share a dozen reasons I love you...

1. You are a great dad. Our kids love you to the moon and back a hundred times, and I am so grateful for your example and the way you love them back.  I love when you get really involved and work on projects with the kids, and how willing you are to go on bike rides and other fun outings with them. I hope you know they look up to you so very much.

2. I love how we can tease each other--it makes life not feel so heavy all the time.

3. You are a hard worker--I look at the long hours and tremendous amount of studying and odd hours you have and continue to work, and I am grateful for your dedication to getting the job done whether you want to or not.

4. You are forgiving. Of all the people in this world who need to be cut some slack now and then, I stand at the top of that list. You put up with a lot when it comes to me...

5. You go along with my crazy ideas. You don't always agree with them. BUT you often go along with it.

6. You are supportive of me doing what makes me happy. We haven't always been in a position to do much--but whenever possible you have been the one to make sure I have some time away, or can pursue a hobby,

7. You do dishes, and sweep, and do laundry. I know there are some guys who won't lift a finger when it comes to dirty dish water or other chores, and I have thanked my stars many times that you're willing to pitch in around the house.

8. You do little things to show you care. I remember when we lived in Idaho and our water heater was the size of a 2 liter bottle of soda. I was pregnant and just LOVED a hot bath--but often would get stuck with cold water. You would start 2-3 big pans of water boiling to help fill my tub, and as soon as they were dumped you would go back for more. I am glad we don't have that situation now, but I feel grateful for your willingness to do things like that.

9. I love that you have found a hobby you enjoy. For years I have wanted you to feel like you had that one thing you could turn to outside of our family, that made life exciting. Mountain biking seems to be it--and you have found some good friends to do it with. This makes me happy...really happy.

10. I love that you have let me keep so many of the childhood traditions that were important to me. You could have put your foot down and insisted it be a different way--but I hope you know that allowing me to keep certain traditions is really important--it's been a truly tremendous gift that has helped me to bridge the past to my present.

11. You have a strength and determination that is inspiring. Your running ventures, working like a madman to make peanuts and support a family and kids all while going to school full time, the numerous hours spent studying, the long drives through the night to take us home to family, the way you have overcome numerous situations in life....you have what many don't.

12. Most of all, I love you for being you. I know we have pondered before what life would be like if we took a different path--if we had chosen other people. We have definitely had our share--or maybe even more than our share--of struggles. We have such different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. But I truly can't imagine life in any other way, loving anyone else but you.

Happy Anniversary...

Mexico - The end...

At this point, we've been home from Mexico almost 2 months, and I am finally documenting the last of our trip.

I have thought about this trip so many times over the past few weeks. I look back with INCREDIBLY fond memories...it was just such an amazing trip.

The last morning, I woke up early so I could make sure to get some sunrise pictures. The air was so fresh and the breeze felt so good. I found a beach bed and camped myself out there and read for a while.




It was seriously so beautiful!!











Back at the room, I wanted to soak in every detail of our room! I loved our fun balcony, overlooking all the tropical plants.


Also loved the butter sculptures. They were basically amazing.









Above is a picture of our crepe lady. WE LOVED the crepe bar--every morning. YUM! I have serious crepe love now. :)


Our buffet--every morning--smoothies, crepes, every kind of fruit, meat, cheese spread, etc. It was pretty much delish.



Sigh....goodbye Room 4223...we loved you!


We took a taxi to Playa Del Carmen and then grabbed a ferry to Cozumel. We were in a frenzied hurry, so we didn't have time to dilly dally in Playa, but it was fun to drive through the town and see the real life that exists outside of the resort.


The ferry was...nauseating. Like, whoa. We sat across from a couple who had just gotten married and were on their honeymoon--they were super nice. But speaking Spanish nonstop for an hour, on a rocking boat in rough waves, was exhausting.

In Cozumel, we did some shopping and bargain hunting--we grabbed a cute Mexican dress for Josie and some bracelets with the names of each kid on them that they can wear or use as bookmarks. And then we grabbed some lunch. I asked for a size of rice--thinking certainly I would get Spanish/Mexican rice...right? When in Mexico--but what showed up was a big ol' pile of white rice. I was shocked! (and really letdown!)

The water was amazing--such a gorgeous color!



We finished lunch and took a cab to the airport. It was a frenzy to get there, and when we did it was just so we could sit and wait. :) We definitely should have done some more sightseeing instead of airport sitting.



And really....when I got on the plane, brilliance. Seriously someone was thinking when they came up with these in seat chargers!



Goodbye beautiful blue waters!!!




Because of how we booked our flight home, we ended up with an overnight stay in Dallas--with a free night at the amazing Grand Hyatt at the airport.



We checked in, and were welcome with the window coverings pulling automatically to the side to reveal our view, and a welcome screen with my name on it. Holy amazing technology!



Our room was SO cool! It was seriously luxurious and beautiful!



And our view was pretty awesome. You could look out and see the planes on the runway and taking off. We never heard a peep though!



I am so thrilled we were able to go--it was such an amazing time and so very needed. We loved experiencing some travel--some luxury--some things that our life normally doesn't include. :) It was such a fun break from the regular craziness of our life and so much what we needed right then...

...we will definitely be back! :)

Mexico - Day 4

Trying to get caught up before I forget all of the details of our trip!

Day 4.

I couldn't sleep late--mostly because of my sunburned legs--so I left Brandon sleeping and slipped down to the beacj to try to catch some sunrise shots. It was such a beautiful morning. Very slight breeze, perfectly warm. incredible.





 

I walked along the beach for a while, and then laid out on a beach bed and just watched. In the far distant horizon I could see cruise ships going by--on their way to another tropical destination.





There is a bad seaweed problem in Mexico right now--and the week we were there happened to be the week that they weren't able to clean it due to the sea turtle migration. We never did swim in the ocean, but we stuck our feet in. The seaweed was a bummer, but it was also really beautiful in the morning light. :)


I headed back to the room once the sun was up and we got ready and went to breakfast.

I really miss breakfast there!  I lodve my daily smoothies and crepes! mmmm...After breakfast,  we had a photo shoot with a resort photographer (Brandon really dislikes getting pictures,  so this was a true act of love.  Lol).






Our photographer's name was Ricardo and he was hilarious---I don't know that he really knows much about photography, based on our conversations--but he was there and captured some fun pictures of the 2 of us. So we will call it good. I had to stop myself from laughing because when we got a pose he liked he would yell, "PUUUUUHFECT!" I can still hear him saying it and it still makes me laugh. :)

We shopped for some gifts for the kids and bought some very expensive aloe vera for my poor legs. I had to take a picture of the hotel bathroom--it was amazing. I loved the setup--so many plants and nature in the open, so the rain and humidity could keep it growing, right there in the middle of various areas of the hotel. Super duper amazing.



We were then off to play darts and ping pong while we waited for our salsa lessons to start,



We loved salsa lessons--even though it was hot, hot, hot...I loooove to dance though and it was really fun...

Dancing, we worked up an appetite and headed over to the poolside barbecue to grab some lunch. We tried the miami vice (alcohol free) here, and it was really yummy! We went for a swim and cooled off, and then a small storm rolled in so we headed back to the hotel room.




After showering and changing, we went for a walk--since the rain had eased up. We checked out our pictures the photographer had taken and spent some time in the sports bar again to play some pool and eat popcorn.




The grounds were so lush and beautiful--


 We went to the french restaurant right when they opened so we could have an earlier dinner--it was SO fancy and beautiful. Our waiters had white cloths draped over their arms and we were served our entrees with a silver cover that they removed when it was placed in front of us. There were SO many forks and spoons for various courses and every little detail was so amazing--from the shaped little pats of butter to the dessert, and the bread with artichoke mousse.



After dinner we went for a walk on the beach again, and looked for the sea turtle habitat area--we never did find it, but we went way down the beach and it was dark when we finally took a path back to the hotel grounds.




This was at our hotel. The entire center of the hotel was open for the plants. It looked so beautiful at night!

We arrived back to our room to have our bed turndown service awaiting us (every night they did this--and I loved it! Always a new mat by the bedside, your bedding turned down and ready to climb in, and a program of the next day's activities, temperature, etc. )



We relaxed for a while and then ordered some late night snacks to munch on--it was pretty much the coolest thing ever to order room service and not pay a penny. :)



It was SO hard to know the next day we had to leave. :(

...to be continued...

Week 32 --Mexico (Day 3)

Day 3--Woke up and tried a new breakfast place this day. IT WAS AMAAAAZING.

Crepe station with oodles of toppings, omlets made to order, a smoothie bar with any fruit you wanted, among a million other choices. HEAVEN! I wished I could transport those food choices to the beachfront location of the other restaurant. :) We ate and then went to the activity center and played some pool while waiting for our tour guide to arrive.

We took a bike tour around the property which was really cool. It was humid and hot, and the breeze felt nice as we pedaled around. Afterward we suited up and headed to a new pool we hadn't been to. This one was much quieter (the main pool did games and activities and had a swim up bar--not that it was a crazy party pool, but it wasn't really our scene).

I read a book while Brandon did a little relaxing of his own, and I took my turn floating too. The water was SO nice.








We saw these little guys all over. They are definitely not afraid of people--




We relaxed several hours--ordered a poolside lunch, and then headed back to our room. I was sure I hadn't burned--I was careful to move and take shade breaks. But alas, it didn't show up right away, but I ended up with lobster legs that hurt something fierce!

We went back to our room to change and hang out--and order dessert via room service. After getting ready to head out again (did I mention we changed like 12 times a day? lol) we went out for a walk to some of the things we had seen on our bike tour. The property really was beautiful!

We wanted to go to the Mexican party that night, which was later than we typically eat, so we stopped in at a restaurant and ordered some snacks.



Hindsight it was silly to do, because their snacks are more "meals" than they are light fare--I don't think either of us finished what we ordered. Just ate enough to tide us over, and then continued our walk.

This time we headed over to the Sports bar to play pool and a rousing game of Jenga. All sorts of tourists had signed all the Jenga pieces--which was kind of interesting. :) We snagged some popcorn--and then wished we had just done that and skipped the late afternoon "snack".



After playing a while we continued our walk--



It was quite the production they put on for their weekly Mexican party--so many people working hard to get it all set up. Took more pictures of the resort property. There were several times I wanted to stare hard and then squeeze my eyes shut, and somehow capture every detail so I wouldn't forget it...






(setting up for the Mexican party)


The party time arrived and it did not disappoint! Such delicious food and fun entertainment. They did a show with Mexican dancing from each region. I felt awful for those dancers--it was so hot, and they were moving like crazy in layers and layers of clothes. I bet many were a hot, sweaty mess! But they did a great job and it was really cool to watch (with the exception of a creepy Mexican clown dance they did...I could have gone without that one. ) After the dancing, they brought a mariachi band out--we left before the night was over, and headed back to our room to relax.

I loved this day though...



To be continued....