St. George

I'd like to move it, move it

Do you ever have those days when you are supposed to be doing 8 million things but because you don't even know where to start, you hang out at your computer all morning getting nothing accomplished? Just wonderin'. Not that that's me or anything. Wait, it is me. Well, maybe it will help if I have to be accountable to someone. How 'bout you? Would you mind if I just make a little list of things I need to get done? It might help. It certainly couldn't hurt. Here goes:

• clean up breakfast and kitchen
• get myself ready for the day
• get the girls ready for the day (at least I don't have to fix Rachel's hair anymore, since it's all gone)
• go to the craft store
• work on Pretty Petal stuff to get ready for the What a Woman Wants Show this weekend (I need to finish making about 200 bows, among other things)
• make (cupcake) labels for Laura's baby shower that's tomorrow
• make ribbon decorations
  
• make cupcakes
• make some phone calls
• get Hannah to preschool
  
• get Jason to Primary party
• get Tyler to soccer practice
• try and go running
• try to get on my husband's good side (I've been stressed and ornery)
  
• figure out dinner
• blog (oooh, almost done with that one!)
  

That's it, folks. It really did help to write it down and make myself accountable to someone (sweet, thoughtful YOU). Thanks for humoring me. Let's see how many check-marks we can get by the end of the day. On your mark...get set...GO!!!

Oh my HAIR!

Have you ever wondered what your kids would look like if they were the opposite sex? I always did. I used to put hair bows on my boys when they were babies just to see what a little Seeley girl would look like before I had any girls. Well, after yesterday, I no longer have to wonder. I know exactly what a male version of Rachel would look like, thanks to her big sis Hannah!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Thanks to my next door neighbor Wendy and her scissors we evened things up a bit and now I don't burst into tears every time I look at Rachel. Good thing I have lots of headbands, beanies, bows and flowers to help girl-ify my very boy-ish looking child!

Bye-bye hair, nice knowing ya!

The culprit after some "words" about the horrific nature of her deeds.Moms, now might be a good time to reiterate to your preschool children about the illicit use of scissors. Do it now before it's too late. Let Rachel be an example...don't let your child become the next victim. Or perpetrator.

St. George

Every year for the past three years now, my Arizona BFFs and I go on a trip together and pretend that we aren't getting any older and that we don't have a care in the world because for 4 days, we aren't and we really don't, respectively. It's great fun! First it was the Oregon coast, then it was Chicago. This year we chose somewhere "driveable" for economical purposes and somewhere where we could do a little less sight-seeing and a lot more RELAXING. We chose St. George, Utah. The funny thing is, the girls all chipped in to fly me to Phoenix so we could all drive to St. George together since I'm the only one living out-of-state. So basically, I flew across St. George in an airplane just to spend the next 7 hours driving back. My husband is still shaking his head on that one. But if you are a girl, you understand that if you miss all the female bonding going on in the car-ride you might as well just stay home! It's crazy but it's true. Besides, where else can you sing Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" at the top of your lungs except in a car with your girlfriends?

I don't have any pictures yet because Tiff was the designated "photographer" with her fancy camera and oodles of "know-how". Once she sends them to me...a-hem...I will post them.

We were lucky enough to score free housing at Jill's in-laws house. They were out-of-town so we had the whole place to ourselves including a gorgeous pool in the backyard to relax in...and we did. Besides doing nothing at the pool, we managed to fit in all the things girls do on getaway trips: eating, pedicures, eating, shopping, eating, chick flick, eating, crafting, eating, card games, eating. Did I mention all the fabulous eating?! It's going to take me weeks to shed those extra pounds, but totally worth it! Luckily we laughed almost as much as we ate, till our sides hurt...I'll call that "ab-work." Exercise...CHECK!

We also tried to season our trip with a little spiritual, and a little cultural, too:

We visited the St. George Utah temple and did an endowment session together. It was a beautiful temple and a special experience to have with the girls.

The highlight of the trip had to be this:

It was amazing! This ampitheatre is a unique experience and the production was fantastic. And yes, there were tears shed.

The trip was everything I hoped it would be, and more. I think I speak for all of us when I say I came home a better wife, mother and friend than when I left.

Can't wait for next year!

15 years ago

Aren't you so proud of my diligence in posting? I think I might actually be turning over a new leaf!

You see those two lovebirds on the 2nd and 3rd from the left? That's Cade and I and that's what falling in love looks like, baby! This was taken almost exactly 15 years ago (1994) at the top of the "Y' at BYU. We went hiking with a bunch of friends from "the Riv". Love was definitely in the air, although I don't think we had officially said "the words" yet. Tee-hee.

15 years and 5 kids later...

We hiked the "Y" again on Monday (Labor Day) as a family and I couldn't help but think about all that has changed in the last 15 years and all the ways we have been blessed.
I can't wait to see what the next 15 have in store...hopefully I'll be back on the "Y" in 2014 with my husband and kids (and maybe a grandkid or 2).
I'm pretty sure it's good luck.

(p.s. I'll be back posting on Monday after I get back from St. George. I'll miss you.)

Photo Shoot

My friend Jodi offered to take pictures of my girls last Friday with her awesome, new camera...I obliged (that was a no-brainer!) She did an amazing job in my humble, unbiased opinion.
Here are a few of my favs:

It's so great having muti-talented friends.
Thanks, Jodi!

"Eye" see you!

Someone's been playing with my camera...and they've incriminated themselves with this amateur self-snapshot. Not very smart.
Now I just need to figure out which hooligan that eyeball belongs to.
Any guesses?

A Great Partnership

I just love watching these two sisters interact with one another and develop their sweet little relationship. That's not to say that Hannah never gets frustrated with Rachel and they never fight, but Hannah loves her baby sister and I'm so glad that they have each other. They need each other.

Hannah needs Rachel:

• Rachel is one more person for Hannah to talk to. Hannah talks all day every day, so to have someone follow her around and hang on her every word is priceless (ie. you couldn't pay me to do it!)
• Hannah has a soft, nurturing heart and I'm so happy that she has someone to "practice" on. When Rachel is upset or hurt, Hannah is almost in tears herself anguishing over her sister's pain. It's the sweetest thing to watch Hannah "mother" and fuss over someone else the way she does to Rachel. If she didn't have a younger sibling, how would she ever develop this trait?
• Hannah KNOWS that Rachel loves, respects and adores her. Everyone wants to know they are loved...and by as many people as possible. Because Hannah knows she is loved by her little sister her self esteem is strong and she is growing more confident in herself every day.
• Hannah gets to call the shots...for now, anyway. Hannah wants to make all of the decisions and be in control all of the time. I have to remind her, on occasion, that I'M the mom which she is grudgingly learning to accept. However, when she's playing with Rachel, she gets to make the decisions - what to play, how to play, etc. which satisfies her need to "boss" and Rachel is more than happy to oblige. I know this will change someday and Rachel will not want to go along with everything Hannah says, but for now it is a blessing...for all of us!

Rachel needs Hannah:

• Attention, attention, attention. Rachel is the youngest of five children, so I obviously am unable to devote constant attention to any one of them, even her. Thankfully, Hannah (and her brothers) give her plenty. With the boys in school now, Rachel has a constant companion in Hannah!
• Rachel is being positively reinforced. It's become apparent to me, over the last few months especially, that Rachel is a total goofball! She is destined to become the family clown and every family has one. Whenever Rachel says or does something silly, the kids (mostly Hannah) roar with laughter until she does it again, and again, and again. She's like a performing monkey and Hannah's training her well!
• Rachel likes to be taken care of, and Hannah likes taking care! Win/Win.
• Rachel is the lucky recipient of Hannah's expertise... in all things princess, ponies, babies, Barbies, reading, writing, Dora, Diva, drawing, jewelry, fantasy and fairytale. Thanks Hannah.
  

You two deserve each other!

So, my Tyler is growing up. Last week he landed his first babysitting gig for someone other than me. He has been asking me for months if he could start babysitting. I thought it would be good for him to earn money doing something he likes doing and learn responsibility so I put a plug in for him to several friends and soon enough my sweet friend Emily popped the question:

"Tyler would you like to babysit?"

Tyler of course answered with an enthusiastic "Yes!" He was over the moon about it and began preparing for B-Day. As we were discussing basic babysitting etiquette, I began to get a little emotional about my little boy being big enough to babysit. "Where did all the time go? How did he get so old? That means now I'm old...WAAAAHHHH!!" You know the drill. I sulked while he was off on his first job and marveled at his oldness.

After an hour he returned triumphantly with a glorious five dollar bill clutched in both hands. He was so proud and I was proud too, and I fought the urge to pick him up and cradle him like a baby for old times sake (that would not have gone over very well). The moment was lost when not one minute after returning home Tyler asked if I could take him to the store so he could buy candy and soda! HOORAY! Spoken like a true non-adult, Tyler. Attaboy!

And YES, I would love to take you to go buy candy and soda!