SiX for SaM

We went out to our favorite Chinese restaurant tonight.  I never would have thought that Sam would have picked it for his birthday dinner, but he did.  As our families all know, the kid is wild about hamburgers and I thought we would be heading to Burger King.  But he picked Chinese and ate a lot, like a big 6 year old would.

We have only had Sam in our family six years, but it is really hard for me to remember our life without him.  He is such a big personality and full of life.  Our home was definitely quieter and cleaner before his arrival, that is for sure.:)

Sam is a special little boy. He was blessed with a good sense of humor, a handsome grin and matching dimples.  He has boundless energy and loves being around people.  I am glad we got to show him how much we love him today.

We invited Grandma and Grandpa "Saker" to come with us and we were delighted that they were able to join us.  Happy Birthday Sam, we love you Bud! 

Never say Never

It is funny how growing up there are things that we all say we will never do or never like.  I grew up with two very passionate sports fans for parents.  It was very common to be upstairs and hear my dad yell (very loudly) with joy or disgust from the basement depending on however his team was doing.  I would just shake my head and say "That's my dad!"  My mother matched his passion on more than one occaison and would usually be there beside him.  I could never figure out why they liked watching sports so much.  

During junior high I started liking the Jazz thanks to John Stockton and Karl Malone, but I didn't watch every game or even care to.  Then there was my dating years, and how annoyed I would get when my dates would absolutely love to sit and chat with my mom about sports.  They all said how "cool" she was.  Naturally, I could never ever see myself watching many games when I got older, let alone be passionate about a team. 

Now here I am about to turn 30 and I am obsessed... I'll admit it.  It started a few years back when Chad and I got tickets to the BYU football games.  I only thought I would go to a few that year and let Chad take the boys to rest.  However, I was bitten by the "football" bug and refused to give up my seat for the rest of the season.  Here we are going into our 3rd year of season tickets come this fall, and I can't tell you how much I look forward to that first home game.  It is crazy I know, but true.  I never would have imagined in a million years that I would: a) Ever want to listen to sports talk on the radio b) Actually turn the TV to ESPN when Chad wasn't around because I wanted to see the latest headlines c) Have to read the latest articles on CougarFan and ESPN everyday after I check my e-mail and d) Want to sit down with Chad and watch sports all day Saturday, but I do.  

And as if being obsessed with BYU football wasn't enough, now thanks to a Mr. Jimmer Fredette I have also jumped on the BYU basketball bandwagon as well.  It is really sad how much a win or loss determines my mood for the rest of the night and how much I look forward to watching these games, but I love these BYU teams and as any good fan, I love to see them win.

This has been a good thing though.  Not only now do I appreciate my parent's love of sports and often talk with them about it, but it has brought me and Chad's marriage to a new level.  Chad is not a hunter, fisher, golfer or anything like that.  Sports is his passion and in particular, BYU sports.  You can imagine how much more fun we have had as a couple over the last couple years now that I share in his favorite pastime.  If you ask him, he would probably tell you that he was more surprised than I was about my sudden interest.  Whatever the cause, I see no end to my passion for BYU football and basketball coming to an end soon.     

She cracks me up...

Emmi was quite the little chatterbox in the car tonight.  

We had a couple funny conversations that went like this:

Emmi:  "Mom, I think there is garbage in the car."

Me:  "Why do you say that?" (As if that would be something new:)

Emmi:  "I smell somethin' stinky."

Me:  "No Emmi, that's a skunk."

Emmi:  "Boys, do you smell that?  A skunk tooted in the car."

Then a few minutes later-

Emmi:  "Mom, I just saw a police car."

Me:  "Yep, that was a police car."

Emmi:  "I saw a policeman and a guy.  The guy must have killed someone with a knife."

Seriously, where did she come up with that?  I need to monitor her TV shows more carefully I guess.)

DiSnEyLaNd!

We just got back from Disneyland, and we had a blast! The kids were young and at times it was a little bit chaotic, but it was well worth it.  The best thing we did was not tell the kids until the morning we left.  The night before Chad and I finished all the packing when the kids were asleep and hid the bags so they wouldn't see.  Early the next morning Chad and I got all showered and dressed.  The kids were still eating breakfast and watching cartoons in their pj's when I got the camera out.  Cue the video...

There was too many pictures that I wanted to show you from our trip, so here they are in a slideshow.  Enjoy!!

It is GREAT to be 8!

Today my handsome little Keaton turned 8 and I am so excited for him!  Of course this means that he will be baptized in a couple months, but he is also now the cutest little cub scout.  A couple of days ago we were invited to the annual Blue and Gold Banquet and get a taste of what is in store.  He doesn't say much about it, but I think that he is very excited. 

I have been an Activity Days leader in my ward for almost 2 years now, and I cannot believe that he is now as old as some of my girls!  Lately I have noticed how tall and lean he looks.  

He really is growing up.

I wasn't going to let him open up his presents until after dinner when Chad got home from work, but he got all ready for school and did his chores and I couldn't say no.  So sorry, Chad.:)  I wish I had the video camera going, because him and Sam were both jumping up and down like crazy when he opened up his Mario Galaxy 2 that he had asked for.  He is more than ever all about the Wii and would play all day and night if we would allow it.  He also got some clothes, and some Lincoln logs that he was excited about as well.

We are so proud of Keaton.  Every year in school his teachers say how hard and quietly he works, that he works well with everybody and they love him in their class.  Every night when I help him with his homework he never ceases to amaze me with his smarts too.  This kid is AWESOME with math! 

He is a terrific big brother and a joy in our home.

Happy Birthday Keek.  We love you!

Angel Day

It was just a year ago today that my little nephew Henry passed away.  And to be honest, when I sat down to do a post today, I tried to be positive, but all I could think about was how sad it still makes me to think about him.  I remember me and Erin's excitement over Henry and Jack, since they would only be 3 months apart, the buddies that they were going to be, and all the fun we would undoubtedly have with our boys, and it makes me sad.

This past year has been anything but easy; knowing that when we get together there should be two babies, not one, and having to watch Erin and Rob try to find peace at such a hard time.  I think I have said it before, but there isn't anything I wouldn't give to go back and have Henry live.  To have his birthday come and realize that we should be having a big party giving him presents and watching him eat cake was so hard.  I did not loose a son, but I still lost a nephew, and my son's playmate.  And when details of me and Erin's past conversations about our boys' future sneak into my head, it feels as if I am punched in the stomach and my heart aches.  It aches for what I was so sure was going to be, but wasn't.

I don't know why Henry's life was cut so short, but I do know that our Heavenly Father is over all.  And I am trusting in him, that even though this still hurts right now, one day he will make it be okay.  For now, Happy Birthday sweet Henry.  May you look down on us and see how much we love you and look forward to seeing you again.

Happiness Is... Part 2

A very clever friend of mine recently did a post that consisted of a list of things that made her happy.  (Thanks for sharing Michelle).  It was so enjoying to read and I went away thinking of what I would put on my list.  Then I realized that I did make a similar list 2 years ago.  (You can read it by clicking here.)  While those things do indeed make me happy, they are not what I would put on my list today.  It's funny how just a couple years can change your perspective. So here's my new list in no particular order:

1.  Sleeping in past 7:30 a.m.

2.  A clean house.

3.  Alice Springs Chicken from The Outback Steakhouse.

4.  Going to BYU football games.

5.  Oldies music (the 60s and 70s).

6.  Shopping for plants and flowers for my garden.

7.  Peanut butter M&Ms.

8.  Getting into my car on a cold day to find my seat nice and warm.

9.  Laughing so hard with my family that I end up crying.

10.  The Bachelor.

11.  Being taken out to eat so I don't have to cook dinner.

12.  Reading books with the kids.

13.  Soft tickles all over my back.

14.  My king-sized Sleep Number Bed. (It is just pure heaven).

15.  An ice-cold Dr. Pepper when I haven't had one in a few months. 

16.  Rearranging the furniture in a room just because.

17.  Babies sleeping all through the night.

18.  My own checking account and money.

19.  Chad helping me clean the house and my boys doing their chores.

20.  Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, or any shark movie for that matter.

21.  Free 2-day shipping on Amazon.

22.  A nice hot bath.

23.  Hugs and kisses from the kids before they leave for school.

24.  Temple date nights with Chad and Joe Bandidos afterward.

25.  Anytime BYU beats the U:).