Visit to the Temple

Brad and I took Olivia up to the Bountiful Temple last week to walk around and enjoy the feeling there.  It was colder than we first thought, but that didn't deter us.  Olivia LOVES the temple and loves going there.  As soon as it comes into sight, she yells, "There it is!"  She had a great time exploring and checking everything out.  The grounds are so beautiful, and make for great picture opportunities... if you can get the licorice out of your child's hand, and if it's not too cold to take off their jacket.  Oh well, it was a fun experience, and something we plan on doing more often.  

Olivia and I went on a lunch date today.  We had just been to the school, and she had played hard on the playground equipment while we were there.  On the way home, I thought... let's keep the fun going, (and I didn't want to figure out what to make for lunch...)  So, off to Arctic Circle to save, ah.. er.. feed us.  I tell you what, we made it just in time.  No sooner had I ordered our food, then the place was SWARMED by a bunch of newly 'graduated' 6th graders from a nearby school.  I think there was 50 kids that came walking through the door.  I have to be honest, I was going to pack up all our stuff and walk out the door.  But, we sat and ate, and Olivia had the time of her life.  I learned something new about my daughter today... SHE IS A FLIRT!!  We were surrounded on all sides of our table by these kids, the majority of which were boys.  She laughed and watched their every moves. Then, when she was done drinking her 'cocoa', she stood up, turned around to the table full of boys behind us and said, "Hey guys, Hey."  They responded with a weak "hi" but that only encouraged my little one even more.  She then launches into a full blown 2 year old conversation with many "hi's", "Hey Guys" and of course, she introduced me to them... saying and tapping me on the shoulder, "This mama, this mama."  It was really cute of her but I was surprised by the boys I was dreading and almost left because of... they smiled at her and talked a back a little.  They made her day.  I'm glad they weren't too embarrassed to talk to a 2 year old for a split second of their "very cool lunch."  Of course, as we were leaving, she had to wave good-bye to them all.  I guess I should just be grateful she didn't blow them all kisses, right?

Memorial Day memories

We spent our Memorial Day in Cache Valley with family.  We had the opportunity to have a BBQ with Brad's sisters in the early afternoon, which was a ton of fun... even with a few drizzles of rain.  Thanks Jill for letting us party at your place! After lunch, we went to the cemetery to visit Brad's parent's grave.  I think cemeteries always look so great on Memorial day.  I look forward to my opportunity to meet Brad's parents.  The stories I hear, and the evidence I see in their children leads me to believe they are great and truly amazing people. Olivia had a great time playing peek-a-boo behind the headstone.  We really had a great time. After we left there, we headed out to Smithfield to visit Grandma and Papa Douglas.  We watched a movie with them, played a little, then came home.  It was a low key, casual and very laid back day for us... exactly what the doctor ordered!

I'm having all my fillings pulled!!!

Dreams changing...

Well, I'm done. My days of wearing that coat will be fewer from this moment on. My days of sleeping in that station are now less. The days of my husband worrying as he listens to the scanner waiting to hear me on the fire ground will be almost extinct. Yesterday was my last day as a full time employee of the Fire Department. I have so many mixed feelings about this decision... But the one that is standing out the most amid all the chaos in my brain, is the feeling that is coming from my heart. That feeling is telling me that it is the RIGHT decision, and it is the right decision because of my daughter... I LOVE this little person! And because I love her so much, I will sacrifice what I thought my dreams were, to find out what my dreams truly ARE.

I made this decision a while ago, and some of you know the struggle it has been for me. But, I'm glad I've made THIS choice. I recently started reading, "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. I feel like this book was written for this very moment in my life. I love one quote that she shares in it by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. He says, "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peace-making of women in homes and neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?"

So, I'm going to make sure that the histories made in my kitchen and home are great histories. I want to give my children every advantage available to them, and if I can do that by staying home with them more, I'll gladly do it. Besides, I want to watch every moment of Olivia growing up I can. It's better than "saving lives and protecting property" any day!!

Finally...

Well, Brad and I just finished watching it.  The long awaited, much thought about, and very anticipated 4th segment in the Indiana Jones series.  I have to say... IT WAS FANTASTIC!  It had a different twist in it that I really wasn't expecting or saw coming. But, I'm here to tell you... Harrison Ford, even for an old man, can still flip that whip. He looks good for his age too.  And of course, Shia was just... perfect.  So... If you've ever had any inkling for Indiana Jones...  Go see the movie people!!!

You know what made it all even better?  Both of the movies I've been able to see this week with my husband have been in "private viewings" and free for us!  His job does have some perks.  It's been nice to spend some extra time with Brad this week.  Even if we were in a dark theater and not able to talk during the movies.  At least we were together!  Thanks Brad!

You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

So, that explains why I'm a little bit of a clean freak, why I chose a profession dealing with black soot and ash, why I hardly EVER dress up really nice, and why there are mice in my house!  NOW I get it! So, when do I get to meet my fairy godmother...?

Can I tell you all just how much I like this stuff!?  This amazing, all natural cleaner does wonders in my kitchen!  I even like the smell of it.  It cleans great, smells good, and come on!... it's GREEN!  You gotta love that!  Give it a try if you haven't already. (Maybe Clorox will start sending me advertising money for putting this on my blog... doubt it!)

Brad and I got to go see "Prince Caspian" on Saturday night. His work scheduled a private viewing and rented out the whole theater.  It was fantastic!  I love the books in this series, and I'd encourage EVERYONE to read them.  C. S. Lewis is an amazing author, and I love the way he puts forth the Christian values, and that he has moral battles in each book.  It reminds me of life.  I HIGHLY recommend this movie to all my friends.  As I sat in the theater watching this movie, I turned to Brad and whispered..."Holy Cow!  I can't believe we are sitting here watching this movie!"  We've waited sooo long for the second installment of this movies series to come out.  But I tell you, it was definitely worth the wait!

Too Funny...

I got this in an email from a funny and close friend... I thought it was way too funny not to share with as many people as I can...  Enjoy a laugh today on me!

"Clarification"

If you've ever wanted a child to not bear his/her testimony, (an LDS Church practice) you'll appreciate this one!

At a recent testimony meeting, a five year old little girl stood up and bore her testimony.  After mentioning everyone and everything she was thankful for, she ended with this:  

"I am especially grateful that our house has been much happier since our family stopped using the "S - Word" and the "F - Word."

As the little girl proudly walked back to her seat, nobody could say a word.  Needless to say they were a little shocked by what the 

Stake President's daughter had just said.

Quickly, the red-faced Stake President stood up, smiled shyly, and went to the podium.  "I feel I should make a clarification as to what my daughter meant.  In our house, the "S - word" is Shut-up and the "F - Word" is Fart."

Tractor time with Papa!

We spent the weekend in Smithfield with my parents.  While we were there, we went to see Papa (my Dad) at work.  He works in the Logan cemetary.  When we arrived, he was just finishing up a burial.  Well, lucky Olivia got to go for a ride in the tractor with Papa while they finished the last bit.  She LOVED riding and "driving" the backhoe.  I know the quality of the middle picture isn't great, but the expression on her face is SUCH an Olivia look, that I just HAD to put it in here.  Don't they look like they are having fun?  Thanks Papa!

Quiet book... please work!

I went to the "What a Woman Wants" expo a couple weekends ago.  I have to admit that there was a lot of stuff there that I didn't know I wanted, but I did find some stuff that I did want.  One of them was a remedy to keep Olivia quiet and entertained during Sacrament meeting.  I didn't know I'd find it at the expo, and I haven't tried it out to see if it's really going to work, but I hope so.  I found this little "quiet book" made out of felt.  I opted to go the cheaper route and put it together myself.... I don't know if that was the wisest choice, but this is how it turned out.  It was quite the process... Much more than I was expecting, (especially all the cutting), but Olivia really enjoys the book.  Now, here's hoping it works in church.

  

Our little Scrunt...

I should probably apologize for mostly posting only about my little sidekick, but I think she's so adorable, and much cuter to look at than me. AND, she provides so many good stories in my life... So...  there you have it.  I feel bad for the little scrunt today.  She's not feeling too great.  I was looking through some pictures on my phone, and came across these. The first is her practicing to be a 'tree-hugger', the middle one is of her being a sicky today, and the 3rd is from her visiting me at the fire station last night.  She LOVES to sit in the rescue and pretend we're driving somewhere.  I hear lots of, "et's GO, Mama, et's GO!"  SO STINKIN' CUTE!

I thought these pictures were amazing and creative.  I especially like the Star Wars pun...  There is a lot of talent and impressive talent in this world of ours....

           

Spring is HERE! FINALLY!

Olivia and I spent part of our morning at the park. It is such a nice day outside, I couldn't possibly be stuck inside any longer.  Poor Olivia has cabin fever so bad, she help take out the garbage just to be outside.  So, we headed to the park.  We had a good time.  Between Olivia waving and saying hi to everyone there, making "wood chip angels", playing on the swings, going down the slides and petting the dog that was there, we had a really great time!

Look at the deep concentration on her face in both of these pictures. I promise, she really does have fun while at the park... Really! After we left the park, we went on a LONG walk around our neighborhood.  She proceeded to say hi to everyone we passed, and pointed out every dog we passed... even if they were IN someone's house looking out the window! Amazing!

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

Olivia and I joined the Kent family at the Rec Center pool today.  It's only the 2nd time Olivia has been swimming, so I was a little apprehensive.  Silly me, there was absolutely NO reason. Olivia LOVES the pool!  She was a little timid to begin with, but quickly overcame her fears and had a total BLAST!!!  Here are some pictures of our fun. The rest are of her AT the pool, obviously...

They have a play set for the kids to play on. Olivia liked to try to keep the water from coming up and spraying on her.