New Hair

So this picture doesn't have my hair styled quite the way I like it, but today I took the plunge and dyed my hair dark again. Dane has been after me to do it for a while so I tried it. The last time I dyed it dark was after Easton was born and it took me a while to get used to not having high-lights or low-lights to offset the dark. I hope that with time I get used to the dark and will have my hair styled differently. I am always wanting to change things up with my hair to keep it interesting because short hair needs a change-up every-so-often. A sidenote-the hairdresser told me I have the features to wear any type of style and it would look good. Maybe the pixie will be my next attempt. It was definitely a confidence booster for me. In looking at pictures from 10 years ago, my hair was about this dark. I think I will like the change - a little less maintenance.

Feeling better about the new color

Unsure about my new hair color

Happy Birthday, Mom & Grammy (Ga-Ga)

Happy Birthday, Mom. Even though you are far away today, you are in our thoughts. I feel so blessed to have you as my mom. Besides my husband, there is no one I love to talk to and share with more than I do with you. You are my very closest friend and one with whom I know I can cry with and laugh with. You have always been someone I admire and only hope I can turn out as well as you have. You never cease to amaze me with what you can do in a day. You are my greatest fan and I know I can always count on you to cheer me on when I need you the most. I never wonder if you will be there to listen, you are always just a phone call away. Thanks mom for all you do. The kiddos couldn't have asked for grandparents that love them and appreicate them. Thanks for taking their hands and helping them explore their world through mature eyes. We love and appreciate you!!!!!

Happy 10 Year Anniversary!!!!

Happy 10 Year Anniversary my Love!!!! Although we don't look quite as young now as we did 10 years ago, I still love to live, laugh, and love with you. I now realize (I knew over 11 1/2 years ago when I met you) what a gem I have in you. You are my best friend, confidant, lover, sounding board, parent partner, and many more things. You still look at me in a way that gives me butterflies everytime. You are my everything and I couldn't and wouldn't be who and what I am today without you by my side. Thanks for being the man you are and the father I always wanted for our children. You are my sunshine on a tough day and you always help me see the positive in even the most negative of situations. I love you and look forward to an eternity together! I look forward to seeing where we'll be and what we'll be doing in the next 10 years!!!!!

Pre-Birthday Party for Mom, Jerri, or Grammy

Because my mom and dad were going to be traveling @ different times during the week to Virginia, I decided to have the family over for a little dinner and yummy dessert. We had a little Mexican food and guacamole and then we were treated to Ashley's amazing sugar cookies. The pictures posted don't give them the justice they deserve. Not only were they pretty to look at, but they were yummy too. We (the boys/wives/Dane & myself) surprised my mom with a white watch. It was fun to see how excited she was. She had told me a few days earlier that she wanted a white watch, but would wait because she didn't really need one. Josh and Kallie gave her a couple of books from an author Kallie recommended to my mom (never a bad gift because there is nothing my mom enjoys more than reading a good book). It was fun to be together and Josh never ceases to entertain us with his silliness (the girls love to play with Josh because he is so fun). We missed Chris, Karim, and Kallie. Happy Birthday, mom - We love you tons!!!!

Pre-Anniversary Celebration

Because I have the most awesome parents in the world, Dane and I went out for a little pre-anniversary celebration. Dane and I had already taken a trip back in May to celebrate our 10 year anniversary (thank goodness because with my gallbladder surgery we wouldn't have been able to get away in July to celebrate anyway), so we just did a little something the day before our 10 year anniversary. My parents watched the kiddos while we took in a movie (Inception) and some dinner at Abuelos. It was fun to be together and just relax, but it is always fun to squeeze the kiddos upon our return to them. Thanks for a fun afternoon, Dane. I couldn't have asked for a better man, husband, or father. Your the best!

Post-Surgery and my mom

My mom is amazing! There is no other way I can describe her. She came over for 2 weeks straight every morning and stayed until Dane came home from work because of weight limitations I had post-surgery. She got Easton out of his crib, dressed the kiddos, got them breakfast, lunch, etc. She was such a great playmate for the kiddos because I felt so poorly and really helped Eme develop her imagination and learn more about how fun pretend play can be. It was so nice to have extra hands to help me out. The kiddos had the best time and appreciated all the attention. It was fun to spend so much time with her. I appreciate that she put her life on hold to take care of me and spend time with her grandchildren. Dane really apprececiated the care his wife and children received while he was working. Without your help mom I couldn't have gone grocery shopping, birthday shopping for Em, Ham's Orchard for fresh peaches and yummy ice cream, the splash park on a hot day, and various other activities I couldn't have done without you. Thanks again for all you did for us especially during the two weeks in July when I was limited in my abilities as a mom. You are the best!!!!!

Gallbladder Surgery

I am sure anyone viewing this post is grossed out to the max looking at my gallbladder, but I felt for posterity's sake I needed to have a post about my gallbladder removal. I went in in late June to see a general surgeon who basically said if I didn't want to have complications down the road, the only was to alleviate the problem was to have my gallbladder removed. Between work schedules and trips, I waited 3 weeks after that (crossing my fingers that no attacks would happen in the mean time) and then finally on the 9th of July I had my gallbladder removed. They go in through an incision in your belly button, but also make 3 additional incisions to navigate the laproscopic equipment. I was under anesthesia the whole time and after I hurt pretty bad. They also fill your stomach up with carbon dioxide so they have a clear view of all your organs and part of my post-surgery pain was caused by the gas still left in my body. I had muscle spasms on my right side (where your gallbladder is located) for about 2 days until the gas finally worked it's way out of my body. For those of you out there who have had a c-section I understand that any surgery where your stomach muscles are involved is a sore experience for the first week and gets better after that. Thank goodness for an awesome husband, a very attentive and awesome mom, and good friends. You helped me through a rough couple of weeks, but we did it.

*****Side note - Thanks to Dane and my mom for lifting the kiddos and taking away any lifting activities for the 2 weeks after my surgery. At my follow-up appt the doctor stated that the doctor who looked at my gallbladder post-surgery stated I had a very chronic case of gallbladder inflamation that had gone on for some time. Thank goodness for good doctors and modern-day medicine.*****

Utah Trip - Day 5

We started the day off by checking out of our house in Midway and then headed down to Provo. We went to Granny's house and played on the swings and side lawn. The boys each had good naps and so did some of the adults. Granny made us her famous cheese sandwiches on Granny Bread and we just relaxed and had a peaceful afternoon on the glidder. My dad's sister, Christine called to say to come by and my cousins Karen and Leslie were there with their children. It was fun to catch up with them both especially Karen. I miss not being closer to extended family, but Karen promised she would try to make it back to Texas in the near future for a girl's weekend again. Adios' Utah. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we see your majestic mountains and beautiful blue skies. Texas here we come!!!

Utah Trip - Day 4

Day 4 we went to my cousin Andy's ward for the blessing of his new son, Tyson. While there Dane recognized their bishop and realized it was a guy he had played baseball with while at Ricks. What a small world! We went to my cousin's home after church and had a yummy brunch. Em saw the her friends again and was in heaven with all the attention and fun times. We left and went back to the rented home in Midway and had Granny come back with us. We talked, laughed, and slept all afternoon. It was fun to have Granny to ourselves. We ate a yummy dinner and then watched Invictus. It was a fun day! We were sad to see Kallie and Josh leave.

Utah Trip - Day 3

The 3rd day was spent going on the chair lift @ Sundance and viewing the beautiful scenery. It was fun to experience the mountains and see the beauty. We then went over to Granny's house and spent the afternoon celebrating Granny's 90th birthday. We went to a park close to her home and everyone (except a cousin and his wife, and a 1st cousin once removed) were present. It was a nice tribute to Granny. My cousin Suzy made a beautiful cake for her and there was yummy food all around. My cousins daughters took Em under their wing and played with her and Syd for hours. Em was in seventh heaven with all the attention and didn't want to leave. The night was finished off by fireworks from the Stadium of Fire in Granny's back yard. It was a fun-filled day of eating, scenery and family!