LQQK oUt WoRLd...

LQQK OUT WORLD HERE SHE COMES!!!

It's a sad/exciting day when the last member of your family graduates from high school...

My 'little' sister Jaclyn graduated from Brighton High School on June 2nd. What a trip that was. It was so surreal to be at her graduation, with my son. When I graduated, I stood in the same spot, in the same gown, with the same smile on my face. Only that on May 31, 2001 I stood next to this wide eyed little 8 year old. I said "8 YEAR OLD!!!!" Are you kidding me?!?!?!???

Where has the time gone, more importantly am I really that OLD???

She looked beautiful, and so excited. It's always a little bitter sweet, you don't know what you're going to do next, or what life has in store for you. Part of you wants to hang onto the life that you've had, and the other part wants to start running towards the future...
You finally choose a college to go to, and a path that you feel confident that you can walk on and become successful...but then you take a step back and are scared that you might fail...
I remember so well being in her shoes. I wish that I knew then what I know now, I would have done a million things differently, and not worried so much about the future and just enjoyed the ride.

I've tried the best I can to give her simple advise, advise that I wish someone had told me. But even still, advise is what you pay for it...and 'sisterly' advise is free. I am truly so proud of her!

She was all smiles as she walked up there to receive her diploma. Again I sat there on the opposite side of the camera, thinking over and over in my head, "Is this really happening? Is she really graduating? Am I really here?" Yes I was really there, and nothing I could do was going to change that.

The future is bright, and filled with so many possibilities, and so many choices. Utah State here she comes!!!

We had some down time, Rachel and I started the "Hall-Club" with our two boys who just couldn't seem to muster the strength to make it through the LENGTHY graduation speeches. Which was fine for me, out in the hall gave me time to regroup and get my emotions in check. Zurik and Logan are the best of buds! This summer I am losing a brother (going to Arizona for school) and a sister (going to Utah State)...

And then there was one :(

After the graduation we went back to Papa and Nona's for some relaxation, and a drink of water. Logan is fascinated with water these days...heaven help me!

I just love this kid!

Jaclyn- I wish you the best in life, don't forget to pray always, have faith in yourself, don't ever let someone tell you that you can't do something. Follow your heart, but think with your head. Don't procrastinate, be patient and kind, don't be afraid to say what's on your mind. Be honest, and study hard. Don't forget where you've been, and be confident about where you are going.

I will miss you like crazy, I expect you to come home every once and a while, and still have sleepovers with me, I don't care how many times you call mom, you are required to call me at least once a week. I love you, and I love you!

ReMemBerRiNg...

For Memorial Day we did the traditional thing...visiting the graves and remember those who have touched, inspired, and changed our lives. It's always a bitter-sweet thing for me to do. A tradition that my grandparents started me with, and one that I want to keep with my little family. Taking the time to remember loved ones is so important, because I truly don't believe you can know where you're going, without knowing where you've been.

We also had the opportunity that day to go to the lake with my sister-in-law Rachel and her family. If Andy could LIVE on the lake he would in a heart beat. Logan he wasn't loving it
he needed sometime to warm up to the boating idea....
And since this is my blog I get braggin rights!!!
I think that Andy is amazing on the wake board. I don't know where he gets all of his daredevil guts from...but I think that he is great.

It's always entertaining when he's out there.

As long as he's not giving himself a concussion...LOL.

At one point he fell and Logan just about jumped out of the boat screaming and crying, "DA!!!!!" At the top of his lungs, with his little arms stretched out to the water.

He was so relieved when Andy was back in the boat. It was so sweet how worried he was about Andy in the water. It was such a great day!

GoInG to ThE TeMpLe...

I introduce with the biggest smile my cheeks will allow my new sister-in-law TORAH!!!
Andy's little brother, Jake and his amazing 'wife' Torah were married Friday, June 4th. A little about them: Andy is Jake's #1 fan, literally! Andy lives vicariously through him. Jake is a good sport about it. In face the for the first two weeks of dating Andy, I felt like I was dating Jake. I heard everything about him, probably more than he would have liked me to hear! But he is a sweetheart, and I have loved getting to know him. Torah: Is one of a kind, she is the most down to earth, loving, and kind person you will ever meet. You can't help buy just fall in love with her, she won the gold medal at this past Olympics for the snowboarding half-pipe (for those of you who didn't know.) But you would never know it, she has the biggest heart!

It was beautiful, and such a fun reminder of when I married into this one-of-a-kind family 4 years ago.
CONGRATS JAKE AND TORAH!!!

My oldest niece Rylee, I LOVE her. She has always had a special place in my heart. When Andy and I were just barely dating (hadn't even met the family yet), he had Rylee and some friends bring bunches of roses to my work at the bank. I just remember this sweet, gorgeous little blonde girl walking up to me with her tiny hands full of flowers and big smile on her face. She use to call me "Jess-i-da" I miss that like crazy! It's so fun watching her turn into such a beautiful young lady!

Here's the QUADS! Tiffany, Ashley, Natalie, and of course Andy. It's amazing to me how they could all be born on the same day, at the same time and all be so different. Each one of them has such unique qualitites that I love and adore!

'Cousin Melody', ME, and Abby (Torah's sister)

At the reception, you can see how excited Logan was to be there...Hahaha. At least his finger isn't up his nose right?!? Every time I asked him to say cheese this is the face he gave me.

Again, CONGRATS to Torah and Jake! They are a beautiful couple, and we can't wait to see what their lives have in store for them. We love you like crazy!!!

He's OFF..

Picture this:

It's Sunday night (May 23d) at 8:30, Andy comes to me:

Andy: "Hey Babe, what do you think about me doing the Tri-athlon out at DayBreak?"

Me: "Umm sure, when is it?"

Andy (hesitantly looking around the room): "Saturday."

Me: "Okay, which Saturday?"

Andy: "Actually, next Saturday."

Me: "Like in 6 days Saturday?!?!? There's swimming right? You don't swim, do you?"

Andy: "Yes, yes, and yes I can swim. You ask so many questions and don't give me time to answer."

Me: "Don't change the subject. So let me get this straight, you're doing this whole thing without any sort of training, and you feel good about it?"

Andy: "Jess, don't worry it's just a sprint, I'm a big boy, I can handle it."

Me: "Okay, whatever, you better not die!"

So off he went 6 days later with the help of his coach/trainer/brother-in-law Travis off to do this thing. He was so excited, couldn't sleep the night before. But everything ended up going great.

Here he is just before it started.

Andy is the second from the right by the guy in the white shirt.
Andy's the one in the water with the orange cap!

He got out of the FREEZING cold water and couldn't see straight. Running up the incline to transition to his bike. I was so grateful that he didn't drown or cramp up.

Funny thing: The only way I could pick Andy out was by his Farmer's tan...Pasty white chest/tan face and arms...hahaha.

All geared up and ready to roll. At this point Logan recognized his dad, and started crying reaching out to him and screaming "DA-DA-DA!!!!"

(Andy's the one in the white!)

Comin' round the mountain...

Just kidding, making it back to drop off his bike for the run. Check out that cute little bum!

All smiles for the run, this was his strong point. Except that he said he couldn't feel his feet because they were so cold.

THE FINISH LINE:

He finished 41st out of all the sprinters.

Way to go 'A' we love you!

And a very special thanks to Travis for being Andy's coach, providing the biking gear, and everything else. For helping me with Logan, and being such a great guy.

And also to Trent-your picture taking skills were greatly appreciated, the cheering, and company as well. I couldn't have done this without you two!!!

You are the best brother's-in-law I could ever ask for!!!

Love you guys!

Used To-Be...

Not a summer goes by where my first thought isn't about summer nights in high school. With my little sister just graduating last week, I have done more pondering on the subject than I normally do. This year though, I have just had to laugh about it really. The twists and turns that your life takes, the 'maturity' that age and circumstances bring, the irony of life itself. I just I wanted to share a few of my 'thoughts':

I used to be the girl with 10 different kinds of lip gloss in her purse.
Now I have 1 lip gloss, a diaper for Logan (just in case), no $, but lots and lots of crumbs

I used to be the girl that only had to worry about: being tan, having fun, and if a certain someone liked me...
Now-I worry all the time about everything. Life, money, family, work, sleep, exercise, it's exhausting!

I used to be the girl that loved tight fitting clothes, and bikini's.
Now-the baggier the better, anything to cover up the extra stretched out baby skin, and bikini-what?!?

I used to be the girl that would stay up all night with her friends, laughing and talking about how wonderful life was going to be.
Now-I couldn't stay up all night if I wanted to...sleep is my FAVORITE thing.

I used to be the girl that dreamed about a tall, dark, and handsome guy, with crystal blue eyes coming to sweep me off my feet.
Now- I am married to the man of my dreams and he amazes me everyday. He tries to sweep but it always ends up in me getting hurt!

I used to be the girl to shy to ever say how I really felt.
Now-If you don't want to know the truth, then don't ask me. I am not afraid to be myself.

I used to be the girl that tried to please everyone.
Now-I realize that no matter what I do, it's impossible to please everyone. And not everyone is a very good friend in return.


My life is a little different than I always planned it would be, but it's happier than I ever could have imagined. I am so glad that I am not the same person that I was, I love the person that I've become. It's just funny how life works out, and doesn't work out all the same. You are who you are, and you should be proud of what you have become, and if your not, then change it!