Call Me a Junkie...

Yes, I'm an addict. I have a problem and I fully admit it. No need for intervention, it's just my thing. I LOVE hair products! From the time my hair was long enough my mother took me to the salon had them wrap my hair with the absolute smallest curlers and perm my hair until it was the frizziest fur ball around. Once I reached middle/high school I took a stand. Yes I admit to still getting a few perms during those years but this is also when I my addiction started.

It began with me strolling the aisles of Smith's to find a miracle treatment to help heal my hair from all of the torture it had been through. The grocer's products sufficed for a small while until I began working at a beauty supply store at the mall. (Yes, it was a dream job for me.) While my employment there only lasted a few months, mostly due to the fact that all the workers there were far more in love with themselves than I could ever be, I was hooked!

I truly didn't know what I would do when I got married and had to actually "budget" for my habit. I knew there was no way Mat would allow my expenditures in the hair care area. In fact a very sweet guest to our wedding even gave us some salon products. It was a VERY difficult thing to share with Mat. It WAS after all a gift for both of us but come on, did he really need to use it too? After being married a short while I disregarded the budget and spoiled myself with a bottle of my favorite conditioner. I finally mustered up the courage to tell Mat that it was VERY expensive and I wanted it to last as long as it would. He understood and never used it. However, one day he was rubbing my aching back and the "lotion" he was using get drying out and getting pasty. He just kept adding until I finally recognized the scent and asked what on earth he was using for my back rub! He had used the majority of the bottle on my back!!!

Mat's gotten better with understanding my addiction and lucky for me, (not so much for Mat) I have a list of close friends who are licensed hair stylists and while for the most part I only burden one with my phone calls asking to help me get a discount and rarely pay full price for my salon products anymore.

Mat has really come full circle with the understanding that my hair is longer and thus needs the more expensive products and rarely uses "my" products. The only problem now is that I have this sweet little girl about to turn 11 and she is already showing the signs of being a hair product junkie. She understands that she may use certain products of mine only in extreme dry times. However, every now and then I catch a whiff of her hair and know exactly what was used. How can I really be mad when I understand the need for shiny, smelly hair?

Happy Birthday Peyton!

Two years ago today almost to the minute that I am typing this, we welcomed the sweetest little package from heaven into our arms. So incredibly chubby at 9lbs 2oz and beautiful! Of course that was the only time in her life that she had to be bigger than average. Weighing in at 22 lbs today Peyton may be small but has a HUGE personality! She makes us laugh when she laughs, cry when she cries, and love her more than we ever knew we could. After 4 years to decide we wanted another baby and then losing 2 we had resigned to love and enjoy the 3 we had. Guiltily we still craved another baby girl. How blessed are we to get EXACTLY what we wanted from Heavenly Father? Our family is complete with our little angel. She is very set in her ways and knows exactly what she wants. Can't say that I mind that she insists on a song sung to her before naps or bedtimes. In fact I LOVE when she sings "Tinkle, Tinkle" along with me. Can't say that I mind that she insists I sit next to her every morning while she gets her fix of cartoons in. Can't say that I haven't enjoyed every minute of the last 2 years with my baby girl! Love you Peyton!

Love is all around...

Okay, so a guilty pleasure of mine is watching "Sex and the City" reruns on TBS. Yes, I know it's not the "best" show to be watching but it comes on after the kids are in bed and is edited, and it's my thing, so be it. One of my favorite things about the show is how the four main characters always seem to feel as though they are on the chopping block when it comes to married folk. Said married folk almost look down on them for being single. Well guess what?! I agree a bit with the married folk. I don't look down on single people but I do feel that being married is one of the greatest things I have done and want the same happiness for all of my single friends out there. I have a few people in particular that I would love to see "tie the knot". Well... I must say, love is surely going around. I have a very sweet friend from high school that I was trying to "set up". he must be some sort of luck (good or bad depending on who you are) charm because the 3 women I was trying to set him up with will all be married within the same month! One was married last week and the other 2... This is where it gets stressful for me.

My little sister is remarrying and is having her ceremony and a dinner following in MY backyard! I will be her florist, caterer, and photographer, as well as set up and take down crew as well. I opted NOT to attempt a cake. Haha. This truly wouldn't be that daunting but Mat's little sister is ALSO getting married and while her ceremony will be in the temple her reception will be... in MY backyard!

This is where a huge amount of stress comes into play. This will be her first (and hopefully only haha) wedding and the guest list is quite a bit larger than my lil' sisses. So preparations MUST and have been being made. Along with basic updating (re staining the doors and such) we have taken this "opportunity" to get some things done in the backyard that otherwise would have sat untouched for a few more years. Exciting for me but very daunting given the fact that summer seems to be Mat's busiest time for work and this summer is certainly no exception. We hate to turn away work but by the time fall comes around poor Mat will be spent.

There are things I can do to help out and major improvements have already been made.

Something I've been working on is keeping our luscious grass luscious. While I am no green thumb I am ecstatic with how it looks! The longer spring has helped the trees and shrubs in my yard look gorgeous!
We finally made the decision to do away the bark that we used around the yard. While we've loved the look and the smell it frankly became to costly to upkeep so we opted to filled the perimeter with rocks. Everything looks amazingly clean! I love it already!
Don't mind the ATV ramps and basketball just focus on the awesome Disneyland ripoff that we've made with our honeysuckle. I LOVE it!

After much pleading last summer Mat built me these beautiful pathways around the yard.

Hands-down our FAVORITE thing about our home! The vines have almost covered the top of the arbor and other than mid-morning when I took these photos it is completely shaded and the best gathering spot around.

My mother's day gift from Mat. He has fought me on hanging plants from the patio for years but finally caved and was pleasantly surprised that he really liked them. They are such a cozy little addition.

Mat stained the back patio and walkway to the front of the house in preparation for the weddings and seriously it took him a full day but oh so worth it!

For my little sister's centerpieces Mat made these boxes and I tried my hand at growing wheat grass. It is TOTALLY working! I planted the grass a few days ago and am hoping it isn't too long by Saturday! I told the kids we could keep letting it grow after the wedding until it becomes wheat again and make bread. Okay that might be a TAD ambitious. Haha.

I don't make this post to brag. Frankly Mat and I work our arses off on our yard and it darn well should look good! (The inside is another story :). ) I am truly surprised and honored that these women have asked us to host such an important event for them and want to make it the nicest we can for them. Our home is no where near the estate style homes that backyard weddings are usually held at but while smaller we are very pleased with how it is all coming together. Best wishes to the brides and grooms!

How Time Flies...

Was it really only five years ago that Bailey graduated kindergarten? While she still trades lip gloss with her friends and hasn't "physically" grown a lot since then she has matured and grown far too fast.

We attended Bailey's 5th grade graduation last week and had to keep the tears in check. Not only was it a fabulous program about our country but my little girl is no longer in elementary school! No more recess to swing on the bars or see who can do the most cartwheels in a row (I'm pretty sure Bailey always won that one). No more riding bikes to school and making sure your little brothers make it home safe. No more class parties, having only one teacher, and no more having mom come "help" aka spy on you in class. While there are kids Bailey's age that are starting to meet boys at the movies, Bailey so far seems to care less for that type of behavior. I'm grateful she has a great group of friends that for the meantime, just seem to be happy hanging out together. I've heard the "rumors" of the 6th & 7th grade center and am admittedly scared. I hope that Bailey carries on her group of friends into 6th grade and always remembers her worth.

I am constantly in awe that I was privileged to have such a beautiful, special daughter. There's just something about her. She is always aware of others feelings and is such a happy content person. I used to get frustrated that after Santa came there wasn't much excitement. Bailey is just happy no matter what. Such a smart and talented kid to boot. I really wonder sometimes if there was a switch in the hospital. Of course, I could see all of this the first time the doctor placed her in my arms. She had my heart then and only continues to make it grow. Congratulations Bailey!

Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings at our house are usually quite busy. For some reason no matter what time our service starts at we are always running behind. Unless, of course, we have the 1:00 time slot. Today in particular Easton isn't feeling well and since I was only conducting Mat is opting to take the other kids so I can stay home with Easton (and Peyton of course). Needless to say we are having quite the lazy morning.
Last night we had a fun BBQ in the backyard for the "adults" so the kids wanted to do something fun for them. Mat took the mattress off Bailey's bed and put it in the upstairs family room for them to sleep on. While Mat and I were being lazy lying around in the backyard, eating peas this morning, the kids were adding enhancements to their "bed". They took the mattresses off the boys beds and used them as the box-springs and somehow took down Bailey's canopy netting and reconnected to the fan in the family room. I shouldn't say somehow, apparently it was a series of stacked up object (including Caleb's back) that played a part in their ability to reach that high.
I must admit it is rather a cozy spot. I love my kids doing silly things like this. My siblings and I used to make the most elaborate huts (in my mind at least) and I loved it. The kids know they can't play with friends on Sunday so it is always such a treat to see them working and playing together.

Peyton spent most of the morning sitting in the pea patch chomping away. Our vines are super tall this year but they are no match for a 23 month old who likes her veggies. Peas are like gold in our house so normally the trampling of the vines would lead to a major fence being built but how can we NOT let her fill her tummy with vitamins?

Life IS Beautiful

Spring is such a busy time in our house. So many activities, year end performances, and of course sporting events. :) The weather seems to mirror our schedule. Wild and unpredictable. This spring we lost a tree in our driveway which is always just a very sad occurrence to me. However, underneath the eve of the breakfast nook something did in fact survive the wild weather. A mother bird in her nest. Easton has become quite fond of "his" bird and the other morning I looked out the window to see him standing on the ladder playing the bird music on his ukulele. Such a sweet kid.
We decided to keep Bailey on the Senior 3 team at Raglan and this week she has finally decided that she can actually kick some trash when it comes to cheer and tumbling and is showing it. We are tickled that she's decided she CAN do it!

Caleb and Easton have both had their year end programs at school and as always stand out as being the cutest boys around. Serious. Look at all the faces surrounding Caleb and then, there he his shining in the center.
Easton looked too cute in Mat's dress shirt for his program. He even sang along with the group and everything. I love seeing my kids perform, play sports, all of it. I am so lucky to have such a blessed family.

What's my problem???

For anyone that knows me understands that I can tip the scales on the competitive side...just a bit. Mainly I just feel that I give a lot to life and expect the same in return. I don't expect nice things to happen to me without effort put forth in advance. I love seeing my kids succeed but for the most part expect them to. Caleb has decided he doesn't care about soccer but wants to focus on baseball and basketball. While the basketball idea is fine for now realistically a child from a 5'7" dad and 5'1" mom has a few limitations in a tall person sport. Caleb plays peewee baseball but wants to play competitively. Sounds great to me. He makes several outs every game and hit 2 home runs last game. I'm happy for him but as previously stated I kinda expect him to do well. He practices out back every day. He works hard and certainly reaps the rewards from it. Easton is great at soccer but basically has no drive to practice anything so I just go to his games and enjoy the success he has and for the most part keep my thoughts about what he's capable of to myself. Bailey however, I'm just a freak about. I love that kid more than I could ever imagine and she is AMAZING to me! I was never into cheering, I was a sporty gal, so this whole world that Bailey's in is quite new to me. I do understand that with effort you get results. Bailey has cheered 2 years competitively and she did a year of recreational. She has been in dance since she was 3 and is awesome at cheer. She is a flyer which earns her a lot of spotlight and an awesome tumbler which has the same effect. This week was tryouts for her team and we have been waiting for it for oh so long! We figured she would be a shoe in for the level 3 team (which is the highest available in So. Utah) and she made it. Apparently she actually had butterflies for once before tryouts. This is the issue though, I'm not thrilled with how the team is laid out and really don't even want her to compete anymore. My biff is so many girls who haven't put forth near the effort Bailey has have made the same team and I just can't see spending more money and more hours on something that won't win her 1st places. I don't quite understand why she's had to work her way up and girls with less skills that haven't even cheered before can make the level she's at. I couldn't even muster up much excitement to tell her she'd made the team she wanted! What kind of a mother am I? She was excited and I was not that encouraging. Sheesh! There is another cheer team in town that I know would snag her up in a heartbeat for their level 3 team but she has been with hers for so long I feel like a traitor. If she cheered for that team she would be competing on a team of 18 as opposed to 32. I just don't know what to do!!! I know I just need to get over it and let it go, let her cheer where's she's the happiest. Cheer is not cheap however, plus the hours are many. Is it worth all of it to place last every time?