Old and Busted

I write this only because I love my dad so much and I think he is hilarious. He never ceases to amaze me. My parents have been called to the young single adult ward in our stake. They have been serving there for the last 1 1/2 years and they love it. My dad really enjoys being with "the kids". He goes to all the activities and usually participates in whatever game/activity is going on. Last night was no exception. He went to the ward BBQ at the park. A couple hours after he left I tried calling him but he didn't pick up. Thats REALLY not like my dad. 5 minutes later my mom calls from work (how ironic that she works at a hospital) asking what happened to dad. He had sent her a text message saying he was at the hospital in the ER with a busted lip. Now, my mom didnt know my dad had gone to the BBQ and for some reason the first thought that came to my mom's mind is "oh no, he has been in a fight". As if my father, a 48 year old 5'19" man is going to be somewhere that a fight would randomly break out and he would be injured. I assured her that he had just been at the BBQ, but that I had no idea he was in ER. After text messaging back and forth for the next hour, my dad relayed the story that he played football with the guys (he still thinks hes 21 and can keep up) and some kid slid underneath him, which resulted in my dad landing on his head. My dads front teeth went through his lip, and he was now in need of stitches. Turns out his teeth actually WENT THROUGH his lip, so he had to have stitches inside and out of his mouth. He is pretty tore up. I think he needs another reminder that he 50th birthday is right around the corner, and it might be a good idea to let the boys be boys. He's gettin kinda old, and we don't need him in ER with anymore busted lips!

Easter

Unfortunately this Easter didn't go quite as I had hoped. It was Maddy's first Easter so I was looking for tons of photo ops and lots of smiles. I ended up, however, sleeping the day away. Because the night before I had been in urgent care I didnt have an opportunity to put his basket together. I had been on prescription antihistimines that knocked me out cold so I didnt wake up until close to 11. I threw the basket together and just handed it to him. He liked it alright I suppose. He enjoyed carrying the basket around anyways. The novelty of that ran out about 5 minutes later, which was about the time I went back to bed. I asked Mike to wake me up at 1130 so we could start getting ready for church, but of course he fell asleep too and we didnt wake up until 1220. Church starts at 1 so for the next 40 minutes it was absolute hysteria in the house. I didnt realize until about 1245 that the shirt Maddox was suppose to wear was dirty. I hand washed it real quick, but when it came time to leave for church is was still a mess.... oh well. Throw a vest over it was the solution. We didnt make it out of the house until close to 120. About a block away from the building I started feeling faint and hot. I couldn't tell if I was trying to pass out, or if my body was forcing itself to sleep since I was on such strong medication. All I know is something was not right. Mike turned around and took me home. I was totally bummed that I didnt even make it to church on Easter! How lame is that! Mike got to church with Maddox right on time to teach his primary lesson and then he came straight home. I woke up from a nap right in time to eat a little dinner and then go back to bed for the night. Thankfully Mike is the best husband EVER and completely took over Maddox, checked on me constantly and fulfilled my every need. He was wonderful. So needless to say there was no cute pictures taken of Maddox in his Sunday best. No Easter egg hunt. Nothing. What a bummer of a day.

Goodbye Days at the Pool

For as long as I can remember my parents have had a pool. In the summer we would go out and lay around. Thier pool wasnt the best shape or size for playing games or swimming laps, but a raft and a diet pepsi could keep one of us out there for hours. Well, dad decided that it was time to say goodbye to the pool. "No One Has Been Using It" he says. I say thats a bunch of bologna, but since it is his house, and his pool, he can do what he wishes. However, instead of hiring someone to take out the pool and do all the work, he had a marvelous idea to do it himself. He rented a jackhammer, bought a 2 liter of Mt Dew, and it began. I will post more pictures as they go. I think this project is going to take longer than my did thinks... Looks pretty tough!

A day In The Life Of Maddox

I found some pictures this morning on my camera that I have been meaning to post for sometime and for some reason just never did, so I thought I would compile them all into one. I love being home with Maddox all day. He definetly keeps me on my toes. He is probably the busiest 11 month old I have ever seen. Makes me nervous as to what is ahead of us.
He can't just sit in his high chair and be a good little boy while I fold laundry, or play quietly with some of his toys. He has to help mommy fold. This obviously means not actually helping, but making it more difficult to get the job done.

He wont just take naps like a nice little boy, he must wait until he is absolutely beyond exhausted before thinking about closing his eyes. This means falling asleep in the most awkward positions, sometimes even with food still in his mouth. He literally will stay up and play until he simply cannot keep his eyes open any longer.

Maddox wont just play with any ol' toys. He likes to find the most random objects possible and carry them wherever he goes. He considers this playing. Just walking around. Whatever makes the kid happy I suppose....

But his absolutely favorite thing to do it play with his BFF Dallin. When I say "lets go play with Dallin" his whole face lights up. Last week when Dallin came over he started saying "Du! Du!" He knows when Dallin is around its going to be a pretty good time! They play everywhere together! At the park, at church, and at playdates. The boys are together they are as happy as can be. (well, usually. if one isnt rolling over the other or if they arent pulling eachother's hair).

Urgent Care

Well, we just had a LOVELY evening in urgent care. After 4 days of not feeling good I finally gave in to going to the Dr. Wednesday morning I spent a couple hours at the park for a play date and I started feeling my allergies comin' on. The next day I could feel it settle into my chest. By Friday night I had a sore throat, and today I could feel my ears burning. When it got to the point I couldn't swallow I decided the time had come to see a professional. Dr said I had bronchitis, a sinus infection, an ear infection, and more than likely some type of infection in my throat (thankfully my strep test came back negative). We got my prescription immediately, but unfortunately I don't feel like any of it has kicked in yet. Popsicles are now my new best friend since they seem to cool the fire coming from my throat. Hopefull by tomorrow morning I will be feeling better! The Easter Bunny should be coming tonight and I don't want to miss the festivities tomorrow!

Biggest Loser

Alright so here's the deal. I'm almost obsessed with the show biggest loser. This season my aunt's roommate at college was on the show (remember betty-sue!?) with her daughter. Because of this close tie, even my extended family has gained an interest in the show. It's actually really made us want to get in shape! So, starting yesterday, we started a family Biggest Loser- Couples! Just like the show! We decided that it's about time we lost of few pounds (some need to lose more than others). Our Biggest Loser Finale will be at my cousin's sons baby blessing (late June/early July) to see who has lost the most, since thats the next time we will all be together! SOOOO wish us luck! Mike and I are up against some GREAT competition!!

Where's The Ice Cream??

What do you give a baby for desert who is lactose intolerant?





An ice cream cone! No ice cream.... Just the cone.

---Convention of Champions 2008---

Well, we just got from World Financial Groups Convention of Champions 2008 in LA. Every year we go to convention and absolutely love it! Its just the boost we need to get our business going again. We always meet such wonderful people. It's amazing how so many people (around 17,000) can come together and really cheer eachother on, encourage one another, built eachother up, and actually want to succeed... TOGETHER. What makes it fun for me is that the President of the company is LDS, and many of the leaders and associates are also, so much of the training has definite LDS influences. Its almost a mini education week because the company focuses SO much on personal progression and becoming better than you already are, sprinkled with a little business training. The whole company focuses on the family and the need to love and protect it. I love it. Mike and I know that this business is for us. We love having our own schedule, and being in business for ourselves but not by ourselves. We love that the financial potential is endless and that there isnt a ceiling on how much we can earn. This opportunity has been an ansolute blessing in our lives. The longer we have been in business the more we love it. We had some amazing experiences this last week, many of which we will NEVER forget. This year's convention theme revolved around the Olympics. My dad even had the opportunity to hear from Mary Lou Retton! Yesterday we had the opportunity to hear from Cal Ripkin Jr. What an amazing speaker! It's not everyday you get to actually see, and hear from someone so legendary! Last night I was walking Maddox around the convention center and happened to start talking with another young couple with a small child. (Thier daughter Mya is 14 months old, how is Maddox the same size!?) They were from Canada. We ended up talking for about an hour. It was nice to get to know someone about our same age (many of the company's associates are a good 20 years our elder) who is going through the same struggles and triumphs we are. As wonderful as this year's convention was, we couldn't wait to get home and get to work!!! What a week!!

Baby Thoughts...

No, not for me. We have quite some time before we even begin to think about having another. For some reason, however, I have had babies on the brain. I have several friends who are trying desperately to have a baby, and are so far unable. This makes me so sad for them. These couples are great people. People who love the Lord, love eachother, and do what's right. They want so desperately to have children, and for whatever reason are unable. They would make the absolute best parents anyone could ask for, and yet still no baby. On the other hand I have friends who are currently pregnant and thier situation still makes me sad. Most of these people are wonderful, very nice people. However, thier priorities aren't geared towards parenthood, and thier relationships with thier husbands/boyfriends/fiances are rocky. They have no spiritual guidance whatsoever. I even had one friend for months tell me so hopes she never gets pregnant again, and how it would be the worst thing ever. The next month she tells me she is pregnant with twins! AHH! And to the extreme, my mother comes home from work everyday (she works at the Children's hospital) and tells stories of countless children who have been abused. Horrible, horrific things happening to these children, often times infants. Sometimes the parents don't even come to visit thier own children in the hospital. It makes my heart ache so much. I don't understand how these precious spirits that our Heavenly Father sends to us ends up in abusive homes, and yet those who are righteous bear none. It's obvious that I don't understand all that is in store for us, but it's also hard for me to understand how some are undeservingly blessed, and those who are worthy beyond compare are not. My heart also aches for these precious little babies put into these abusive homes. Certainly our Heavenly Father knows the situation he is sending these precious ones into. Certainly he has to know that they will not recieve the love and attention these little ones need and deserve. He knows that they can't defend themselves when a parent is abusing them. Why would he make such a precious baby endure such pain? My heart just aches.
My prayer is certainly for understanding. It's comforting to know what there are good families who love their children and raise them in righteousness. My thought and prayers are with those who cannot bear children, and to those children who deserve to be in a better home. I know that all is in Gods hands, and I guess for now, I just need to trust in that....

Tickling The Ivories

I am fortunate to have such a wonderful family who helps with Maddox whenever I need them. Not once have we had to pay for a babysitter. Often times, on Friday's I need someone in the afternoon to help with Maddox so I can work. My brother, Austin, is always willing to come over and help for a while. For that I am grateful. Usually Austin and Maddox just play in the family with toys, or hang out and watch some "Little Ensteins" together. Yesterday, however, I found them playing the piano. A definite first for Maddox, but he loved every minute of it! He thought it was the greatest thing! Austin even had him playing "chopsticks". We are gonna have to get this kid into some serious piano lessons... FAST!

The Ox Man!

Last weekend Mike and I went out with the Hank's for date night. Afterwards we met up with my parents and my inlaws. Maddox found a water jug in the kitchen and decided it was the best toy EVER! My dad brought in into the family room for us to all watch Maddox push it around the room, and bang his little hands on it a little bit. What else can a 10 month old do with a big ol' water jug? JUST THIS! He stood up, took ahold of the handle and started walking around with it! He's just barely walking, we never ever dreamed he would be able to pick that jug up! What a strong little guy! I guess Mikey's nick name fits him perfectly-- THE OX MAN!