9 Years.

Scott and I celebrated 9 years of marriage in June.  

We were reflecting on these 9 years and we concluded that we have had 9 productive, happy years.  Scott has spent most of those 9 years studying and taking tests (and fathering and being a husband in between) and I've spent these 9 years mothering and running a household, while trying to keep our sanity and nourishing each other in between...we can't say that we have wasted any time, we have accomplished a lot together, which brings me to the realization that we make a good team.  

We've lived in 5 cities and have had 7 homes.  We've cried and laughed together, we've enjoyed each other and gotten annoyed with each other, we have entered into level 3 together (a.k.a. our 30's), and most importantly we have made 3 amazing human beings.  

Nine years later I'm grateful to know that we made a good choice to get married on that June 18th in 2004.  Marriage has refined us both in good ways.  I'm grateful for goals that have been accomplished and for the life that we are building together.  I'm grateful I get to spend my days of mortality with a humble, hardworking man like Scott and that I can look forward to eternity with him.  I'm grateful I have his perspective of life in my life.  I've learned that talking about how to improve is good but nothing beats real action and showing each other love with actions instead of words. 

 I've realized that Scott is my home and there is no where else I'd rather be than with him, sharing my days and my dreams with him.  When people ask me, where home is, I want to say to them, that my home is where Scott is.  I know they would think I'm silly.  But I have also realized that sometimes part of me is silly, and that saying that Scott is my home is the truth, even if it sounds silly.  I've thought about what home means and to me home is a place where you belong.  A place, where it doesn't matter how the world or anyone perceives you, at home you are not an outsider, a foreigner...at home you belong and you are loved for who you are.  That is how I feel with Scott and I will forever be grateful that I get to experience this kind of love.  We have goals, so many, together, short term and long term but the one that puts a smile on my face the most and without fail, is the thought that I will grow old and wrinkly with this man who is a child at heart and wants to be and do good, a man who at the end of the day wants to come home to me...and that when we are old and decrepit he will still think I'm beautiful and will hold my hand and kiss me.  

I look forward to an infinite number of anniversaries with this man.  

I love him and I believe him when he tells me that I was made for him and he was made for me.

9 years later and we are still in love...

...and a little crazy!

School is OUT.

These two monkeys are officially done with school.  Hard to believe I now officially have a first and second grader. Both of them, had a great year.  They have learned a lot and I'm grateful for good teachers.  

The day after school was out, Braden woke up like this.  

His left cheek was super swollen.  

We had all slept in, 'til passed 8am.  It was around 8:45am when he came to my bedroom complaining that his ear hurt.  When I looked at him, I jumped out bed, called the pediatrician, made an appointment to be seen right away.  My original thought, was that it was related to an ear infection.  We saw the doctor right away, they came up with two possible causes, one: inflamed lymph nodes due to some kind of infection and two: a more serious, life threatening condition.  They sent us to the ER at Primary Children's right away because the ENT at Children's didn't want to see us to examine him.  SO ANNOYING! 

We spent 6 hours in the ER with the a diagnosis of inflamed lymph nodes due to infection.  They gave him antibiotic through an IV, which was so horrible.  It took 3 pokes to get the IV in and about 40 minutes to administer the antibiotic.  My prayers were answered, when right when Braden was getting poked, Scott walked into the room.  I was so grateful.  It was hard to watch my Mr. Braden so scared and Scott's calming ways helped him and me calm down.  Scott spent a good 2 hours with us until he had to go back to the Huntsman.  They sent us with a huge bottle of antibiotics and he had to take it for 10 days.

  

I must admit, that I was so scared that it'd be something worse, especially after our pediatrician showed so much concern and a possible need to get imaging, like a CT-scan.  CT-scans have so much radiation, I didn't want Braden to go through that, unless he absolutely had to.  I'm glad the ER physician felt the same way and went with the antibiotic treatment.  The swelling went significantly down after they administered the IV antibiotic and I was grateful. 

It is hard to spend one on one time with 3 kids, and in a way I'm glad that I got all that time together just with my Mr. Braden.  He is such a good little boy and I'm glad that he is all well now and continues to be a healthy 6 year old.  

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That same week, we had a little reunion with some of my Virginia/DC friends.  Holly was in town and we got together at the park with Katie, Breckin and Michele.  We were all in the same ward in Virginia and four of us ended back in Utah, except for Holly, who still lives there. It was so fun to talk for a little bit and see the two newborns.  These are such great women and I'm grateful for their friendships.

Little Addie is adorable and Brielle got to hold her. Brooke kept saying, 'cute baby'.  

It seems like Brooke was just that little not long ago.  

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The Friday after school, my fun neighbor Gretchen threw an End of School party.  She went all out and had a bouncy house for the kids, had cute decorations and our complex looked so cute.  

The jumping rope was a hit.  

Brooke kept asking Scott to jump! and so he did!

It was awesome.

Brielle got the hang out it too.  

The bounce house was so much fun for everyone. 

Brooke was in heaven.

Can I please have her eyelashes?

We had chalk coloring on our carport...

more fun games...

Steph was our popcorn lady...

The Petteys got a projector and right at dusk the kids gathered to watch Despicable Me.

They were all into it...

We all had a bunch of junk food and we partied hard until way past everyone's bedtimes.  

The perfect way to start the summer.

Provo Canyon│South Fork Park

Provo Canyon has got to be one of my favorite places on this earth.  

I LOVE all the parks, trails, and everything is has to offer.  On my book, it is one of the most beautiful places on this earth.  The mountains are so majestic, the sky is so blue, the air is fresh and I simply LOVE going there. My brother took us to South Fork Park, when we came to visit a few years ago and I fell in love with this park.  There is a little creek that runs through it and the kids can literally spend hours and hours exploring, playing in the creek and running around.  

My mom made some yummy food and we had a picnic up there.  

It was such a beautiful day. 

My neighbor taught me how to do this double braid, so I practiced on my mom and it looked so cute with her white hair.  

We spend all afternoon up there, I can't wait to take Scott one of these days.  

This place is definitely one of my favorites. 

Around Here│End of May

Our good friend Justin was able to make a trip to the States from Japan in May and we were so glad he came to visit us.  We visited for a few hours before Scott had to go to work and it was so nice to spend time catching up and hearing all about life in Japan.  We missed Stacey and the kids but we were glad to see Justin.  It's not fair that we live so far away from such great friends.  It's great to know that no matter how long we haven't seen good friends, it's like time hasn't passed.  I guess we continue to be the same inside and that is why it is so easy to be around Justin. There is nothing like seeing old friends.  Like the camp song says, 'make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold'!  

Thanks for so many fun years of friendship Justin. 

Scott and I sure appreciate your friendship. 

Thanks for coming to see us. 

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These are random pictures.  I love them for so many reasons, but mainly because it shows how nurturing Brielle is with Brooke.  I love watching them play together.  Brooke adores her big sister and she absolutely LOVES the swing, which she calls 'fly'.  It is so cute to watch her experience pure joy when someone pushes her on the swing.  

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My little sister Nya, turned 24 on the 24th of May.  She requested Peruvian food, so my mom went to work and we had a feast!!! Everything was delicious and it was nice to celebrate Nya's birthday together. She's such a good little mom to Vanessa and I'm so glad that she is enjoying this new stage of her life.  

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On Memorial Day, we had a barbecue at our house.  We've been working hard on beautifying our patio/backyard and I'm so glad that we can put that space to use, especially when it's so nice outside.  

The weather has been so wonderful and Memorial day was especially a beautiful day.   

Penny joined us and as always we had a great time visiting with her. 

The food was so yummy, I ate like there was no tomorrow. 

I held my cute little niece Vanessa.  She is adorable and loves to pull hair.  

She is growing so fast and is as cute as ever. 

Brielle is so animated all the time, where does she get all of that energy?

It was a fun and enjoyable Memorial Day and we were glad to be able to spend it together. 

Brielle│My Right Arm

All throughout my childhood and teenage years, my mom would often tell me that I was 'her right arm'.  Such a simple expression of appreciation and love meant so much to me.  It made me feel like I was a valuable member of our family.  I'm grateful for my mother's sincere words and for the confidence it gave me.  

Brielle is becoming such a beautiful, competent little girl and as she gets older, she has become quite my little helper.  I sincerely appreciate her help and she eases my load.  Not long ago I thanked her for being willing to help me and told her, she was my 'right arm'.  She laughed and asked what that meant, I explained.  

A few weeks later, after she had helped me with something, she said, "mom, remember when you told me I was your right arm?"  I could tell it meant as much as what it meant to me when my mom said it to me.  She felt special and a valued member of our family.  I'm so proud of that little girl.  She is so talented, smart and kind.  I'm grateful she is part of our family.  I look at her and I can't believe that she is the same little baby that would kick my ribs when she was in me.  What a blessed woman I am, to be her mother.