Livin' the dream

When I was a little girl I really wanted nothing more than to be a mom. I knew that education was a good thing so I got my degree and then we started a family. Although days can be exhausting and stressful, I really am living the dream I wanted for myself when I was little. I was talking to a single friend today who will graduate this semester. She doesn't want to be a business woman, she wants nothing more than to be a mom--stay at home, have kids, cook, clean--all that homemaker stuff. My heart was pricked when I remembered that I am living what I ALWAYS wanted to do. I have a husband that I adore, beautiful children and I get to stay home with them. So I am going to take a moment and be soo grateful for what I have been blessed with. Here is what we've been up to lately...

Last Chance

Okay, you all. I have talked about going private before, but now I am for real. I just think it is time, no more excuses. So for those of you who didn't give me your email addresses before to add you, please post it in the comments or email it to me. I have the comments set so I have to approve them to post it, I will NOT post it so your email and identity will be safe with me. I promise to give you frequent posts so you will not be disappointed! Thanks for understanding!

Dave is HOME!

I survived! For all of you who were concerned and sent your love, thank you! I so appreciated it! Besides the fact that I had a really hard time falling asleep alone in the cold, lonely bed. It really wasn't as bad as I thought. My mom took day off work and we went up to the Park City Outlets. Way fun! They are having some really good deals right now. I got Hailey's wardrobe for next winter for .99-$1.99 !! I also got all their summer outfits on a killer sale at Carter's (I will forward you the coupon to print off if you want to go up there.) The kids are going to look so cute and I am happy for the warm weather that we can wear them! Then the next day I took my Grandma and Grandpa out for the day, down to PG and then to a fabric store my G-ma wanted to visit and of course lunch at our favorite, Olive Garden. It made the days go by quickly.
I didn't say in the last post why Dave was in San Fran. It was a tour of 8 different companies based in the Bay Area that are mostly alumni from the U who have really done something with themselves since they graduated. Dave really enjoyed it and learned a lot about himself along the way. They had one last company visit late yesterday afternoon and since the rest of the group was flying out of SFO they were going to drop Dave off at the BART to get to Oakland.He called me and I was looking up times on the internet and calculating it all out, we knew it would be tight , but we were hoping for the best...it was too close, he missed it!So he had to buy another one way ticket to get home! It cost almost as much as the round-trip ticket! Luckily the University has graciously agreed to help him pay for part of it. (that was a nice and un-expected surprise!) It is wonderful to have him back. Although; I hated for him to leave, it was nice to be able to miss him and then appreciate him all the more now that he is back home. (And I slept wonderfully last night!) He even took the kids out to the park today and flew a kite with them! What a good Dad!

My heart is in San Fransico

Dave left this morning for San Fran for 3 whole days. I am really nervous. I have never done both kids by myself for that long before, or ever for that matter. In fact the last time we ever slept apart was when Hailey was a baby and he went to DC for a CIA interview for 2 nights. I have tried to prepare myself mentally for what is in store, but I am nervous! Having 2 kids this young is really a challenge, they are both demanding and exhausting! Though it is getting better, but at times Hailey shows her exhuberabce for life by showing us that she really is a two year old, and that the twos really are terrible! It will be lonely to not have someone to snuggle with in bed at night, or to talk to about my day, or to vent to when I am frustrated with the kids. I hope this will be a great opportunity for him, or at least informative for him to know where he wants to go with his career. Wish me luck, only 2 more sleeps to go...

Disney on Ice vs. Aida

This weekend has been full of shows! On Friday we took Hailey to Disney on Ice. She loved it. When the opening number featured Mickey and Minnie she gasped and clasped her hands over her mouth in excitment. Then she exclaimed: "They can talk!" She of course loved the whole thing, and I must admit that Dave and Iwere captivated too, it was amazing! But afterall, it is Disney. They did little snip-its from different shows and featured a mini-musical number. I was so impressed. Hailey loved when the kids from Peter Pan flew over the audience or when Ariel's sisters appeared out of these massive sea shells they'd been hiding in.

Then on Saturday we went to the VHS production of Aida. Ms.M always does such a good job, she demands perfection and she gets it! The leads were very strong and did a great job. I was moved! I was inspired to be passionate about something in my life. My favorite line is "If I could leave this place then I'd go sailing." It is the peace you get when out on the water and the power you have to go wherever you want mixed with the carefree attitude of going where the wind takes you. For those of you who haven't seen it, you really must! I love this musical! It reminds me of my freedom; I am not in shackles, my people are not in slavery. I have the man I love beside me and we don't have to die to be together! Oh so good! And so different from the "huh, yuck" of Goofy's laugh that we saw the night before!

Happenings...

Just catching up with our happenings as of late...
This first one is Dave and Preston in front of his big debut picture at the Target Portrait Studio. Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen? It is nice to know that I am not the only one that thinks he is cute! My confidence just went up in my ability to judge adorableness! I am always at a loss of what to make for lunch, so today I threw caution to the wind and gave the kids Chef Boyardee, translation:messy red sauce! The kids really loved it though...just not everyday.

Look at that adorable face! (I would know!)

As you know, the new obsession at our house is Mary Poppins, the end song, "Let's Go Fly a Kite!" gets stuck in Hailey's head (and mine too, I find myself humming it and I can't get it out of my head!) Hailey has been begging to go fly a kite and so we bought her one (hence the Target trip) She really liked it until it got caught in the neighbors tree! (Dave called it a "Charlie Brown" moment!) Papa and Dave had to get a ladder to get it out. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Soooo happy to finally have her Tigger and Pooh kite!

Backyard fun with Jackson and Carson

Our friends came up for a visit this past week and the weather was nice enough to go outside and play. It was so fun to see them again and it really made me miss living so close that we got to see them everyday, and sometimes multiple times in one day...oh the things you take for granted once they're gone!

Step in Time!

Hailey's new obsession is Mary Poppins. She loves the part where the chimney sweeps come out and dance to "Step In Time". My mom got her a dress from Costco for Easter, but she found it in her closet and asked to wear it. She now affectionately calls it her "dancing dress" and insists on wearing it to dance with the sweeps. (then she wants to know the sweeps names, all of them.)She also wants Papa to dance with her and he is always more than happy to oblige!She is adorable! Here is a short 60 second video of her watching Mary Poppins and dancing along.

Safe Kids Fair

When I was pregnant with Hailey I got a job working for the Salt Lake Valley Health Dept. and my main duties were in conjunction with planning and carrying out the Safe Kids Fair held every year at the South Towne Expo. Dave and I went to it this year and I was overjoyed to see some of the things I created being used! I spent hours on a Safe Kids BINGO set, and they had it set up in the stage area, kids were playing with it while Ms.SLC (she even had a crown) called out the pictures. I did an entrapment display and it was up! I was glad that my hard work is still being used. I especially liked seeing my old co-workers and catching up on what has been happening. (And I must admit it made me miss working, but I love being home with the kids more!) Hailey really liked it and she got lots of good pictures to color and stickers. Here are a few pics.

Oh and the cutest thing! On the way home Hailey was watching Mary Poppins and asked; "Mom can I have some tea?" I thought she said cheese, so she repeated "Mom, Can I have tea like Mary Poppins?" So although we got home later than normal, we had to have a quick tea party. She said she was pouring out chocolate tea, yum! She is adorable.