Why I Love Today...

Disclaimer: This may be lame and super cheesy to others, however I needed to write this down for myself so I can remember in the future!
Sometimes it's hard to be a mom. There are many days when the everyday routine gets to me, and I think to myself.."If I have to clean up another mess, I am going to lose it!" or "Please, let's all just be happy!" But at the end of the night when I am tucked away in my bed with everyone asleep I remember how much I love being a mom, and how lucky I am to have two beautiful children and one handsome husband! I try to ask myself, Why do I love today? Here are some of the things I have come up with: I love how imaginative EmmaLee has been lately. She is so cute with her babies. I think she may even be a better mom to them, then I am to her! She always makes sure that they have a blanket, so they are nice and warm. She puts them to sleep, sings to them, and even cooks for them! She is also learning how to share, thank goodness! Now I did say learning, she isn't perfect but she is starting to understand that if she shares her toys, then other people may share theirs. She loves to sing songs, especially in the car. We can't go anywhere without a song being sung. EmmaLee is starting to get really good at playing the Wii. Tonight she bowled a 134 all by herself! I am new at this whole mom thing, and watching my first child grow up and learn so many things, is amazing to me. Carter is just the sweetest thing right now. He is, for the most part, laid back and calm. He is starting to get his first bottom teeth. He rolls and is so close to crawling! I love when he wakes up in the morning because he tries to show off all of his cute little tricks that he has learned. I think he does it on purpose so I won't be mad at him for waking me up so early. He makes me laugh, and it starts the day off in a perfect way. I love when he smiles, you can see a brightness in his eyes. Neil is a great husband and friend. He is working so hard in school. This may sound funny, but just recently I thought about how much we've changed, since we were first married. I love how we are communicating so much better. I feel like when we criticize each other for something we've done or that we don't agree on, we take it in, and move on. I remember when we first were married, if Neil said anything criticizing me, I would have been so sad and thought about it for weeks. Now, he can say something and we can talk about it right then, and move on, not taking it in such a bad way. (with most things...) I love when we talk about our lives and situations and how we agree on so many things. It's amazing how similar our thought process is. So as days go by and I get down on myself for not having everything I want in life, I try to remember why I love today. It's the small things in life that make it all worth it.

EmmaLee loves to laugh... just watch and you'll see! She does this all of the time when we are in the car, or she wants some attention. I have to say, I don't mind it at all! (even if it is fake!)

Running

So I am in the third week of running and I have to say it actually hasn't been that bad. The worst part is just deciding to run. Once I am running, and I finish, I feel so good and am glad that I decided to run. It has been especially nice to have a treadmill at home so I can run at the moment when I have the motivation. To all of you who are trying to decide if you want to join, it's not too late! And to all of you who have joined.. keep going, because you are helping me to stay motivated!

Here is EmmaLee on the treadmill. She is so cute, she is smiling thinking that I am going to take her picture, not realizing that I have it on video! She always has to run before I do, I love it!

Thanks Jeff and Jill!

Here is a picture of Jeff getting Carter to sleep. Neil and I have been so grateful that Jeff and Jill have moved into our ward, because it seems like every Sunday, one of them has taken Carter and gotten him to sleep! It is really so nice to have a break and have someone take one of our children during sacrament meeting! Jeff always takes it as his challenge! Anyway, just wanted to say thanks!

Crawling and Birthday fun...

EmmaLee with her cousin Ethan.

Grandma Scott and Carter

Here are some pictures taken recently. Carter is in the process of learning how to crawl. He wants to crawl so badly, but he isn’t too sure how to do it. I am a bad mom and I am not showing him how to do it, because I don’t want him to be mobile! I just love the stage where they can sit up and play, but are content to stay where they are. I know that he’ll figure it out soon, so I don’t want to push it! EmmaLee started walking at nine and a half months, and I am not ready for Carter to do that! We are letting him take his time!
We also just celebrated Neil’s mom’s birthday over the weekend; I had my camera with me, so of course I had to take some pictures! She had asked for her birthday to have us do a project in her yard, so we sorted their firewood and put it in a neat pile. It was a cold night, but it was really fun. Happy Birthday Elener!

A New Semester

I feel like since Neil and I have been married I judge time by semesters! And just in case any one cares to know, Neil only has like 7 semesters left of school! So as a new one starts, our life always changes a little. I think his classes this semester are pretty intense, so we won't see much of him. But it seems like I have a lot to look forward to in the next few months. Here are some I can think of: *Neil and I are going to Vegas in March for 2 days to celebrate our five year anniversary! Yea! I love vacations! *My Brother is getting married in April to a really cute and fun girl. I am so excited for them, and especially excited to see all of our family together! *Lots of friends and neighbors are having new babies, oh I just love seeing new babies! *And Spring will be here soon! I can't wait for the weather to get just a little bit warmer! I really need to get outside! So, I have a lot to look forward to especially finishing the next seven semesters, but I guess I'll just take them one at a time!

Things I've learned in week number one...

So it's been one week since I've started training for this 10K. (it's not too late to join and start running, there is still plenty of time!) I wanted to write down my thoughts, so here they are in no particular order:

* It's hard to run when you have a cold. I've been fighting it the whole week. The morning time is especially the worst because I've been laying there half the night with my mouth open trying to breathe, and well, you know the outcome of that! It seems by night, I can breathe and that's when I have done all of my running

* EmmaLee is a great motivator. She loves the treadmill, and has to run on it before I or Neil get to. She gets this big smile on her face when she is done and you know she is just so proud of herself. On Tuesday night we were watching "The Biggest Loser" and I told her that after it was over we were going to exercise. At every commercial, she would ask if it was time to exercise? Even if I didn't want to run, she wouldn't have let me, she was going to make sure that we did it!

* Talking to other people about running helps. The more people I find out who are trying to run/walk or even do a triathlon, helps me stay motivated.

*The first week is hard. Here's why: when I am running, I keep thinking how I will never be able to continuously run for 6.2 miles. I am barely making it past .5 miles and I am running out of breath.

*The first week is great. Here's why: I am completely motivated because it's the new year, and it's time to get into shape!

*I heard that 80% of people don't follow through with their New Year's goal by February. That's scary!!

*Running .5 of a mile really doesn't take that long. It takes longer to get changed into your workout clothes and get everything set and ready to run, than it takes to run .5 of a mile. My experience is that it takes about 5 mins. No big deal, right? I keep having to tell myself that.

*Neil is 100% behind me and is following my workouts and that makes it a lot easier to stay motivated.

*I need new shoes. I have had the same shoes for over four years. I think they are too small. I've actually heard that after you have had a baby, your feet can be permanently bigger. Maybe that's my problem?

*Music, TV or any other distraction to keep my mind off of running really helps me. When I think bad thoughts, it is very hard to run. When I am positive, it is surprising how much longer you can stay on the treadmill.

*It's only going to get easier, right? Please tell me that it is!

10K Race!

Okay, so it's the new year, and it's time for me to get into shape! I've decided to run the 10K again. I haven't done it for a few years, so I am going to start off really slow and everyone can join! The more people who want to join, the better! The training started last Friday January 2nd, but it's not too late! If you can't run it all at once, that's okay, just run as much as you can and then walk the rest. Just make sure you are getting in all of your mileage at the end of each week. This will be really fun! So please join in on the fun! Here is the plan:

Start Friday January 2nd .5 miles 3X per week (If you are wondering why all of the dates start on a Friday, it is because the race is on a Friday, so I went back from there)

Jan 9th .5 miles 3X per week

Jan 16 .5 miles 3X

Jan 23rd 1 mile 3X

Jan 30th 1 mile 3X

Feb 6th 1 mile 3X

Feb 13th 1.5 miles 3X

Feb 20th 1.5 miles 3X

Feb 27th 1.5 miles 3X

Mar 6th 2 miles 3X

Mar 13th 2 miles 3x

Mar 20th 2.5 miles 3x

Mar 27th 2.5 miles 3x

Apr 3rd 2.5 miles 3x

Apr 10th 3 miles 3x

Apr 17th 3 miles 3x

Apr 24th 3 miles 3x

May 1st 3.5 miles 3x

May 8th 3.5 miles 3x

May 15th 4 miles 3x

May 22nd 4 miles 3x

May 29th 4 miles 3x

June 5th 4.5 miles 3x

June 12th 5 miles 3x

June 19th 5 miles 3x

June 26th 5.5 miles 3x

July 3rd 6 miles 3x

July 10th run/walk 7 miles one day this week, then the rest of the week run 5.5 miles 2x.

July 17th run 5 miles 2x this week, but take a few days break before the race.

July 24th RACE 6.2 miles!



Don't worry if you miss a few days or a few miles, just keep going. I know that it is so hard to stay motivated, so if you think that you can't commit to 3 times per week, try just 2 times per week, or even one. It will be so fun especially when you cross the finish line! A lot of runners don't need this much time to train, but I wanted to extend it for myself, so I could make sure that I was ready. Plus, I like to start off slow and then add a little at a time! Good Luck, and don't forget to ask me how I am doing, so that I can keep on track!

Christmas/New Years

Acting out the Nativity scene on Christmas eve. Carter was baby Jesus, just a bigger version I'm sure!

EmmaLee with her cousin Brennan. Em was Mary and Brennan was Joseph! How cute!

Em and Carter with their new pajamas!

Wow, we must have all been really good! (Santa combined his gifts with four different families) We just were trying to save Santa some time, isn't that nice of us?

Playing Rock band! (thanks Brother for the game, we love it!)

EmmaLee and Issak, playing bowling. We had bowling tournament, it was a lot of fun!

I can't believe Christmas has passed and it is now 2009. I love the Christmas season and how people are always thinking about other people. I love getting and sending Christmas cards. It is a great time to think about what is really important in our lives. I also love the new year, because it also gives us a chance to reflect upon the old year and to try to make better changes in our lives. Thanks to everyone, family and friends, who made 2008 a very special year for us. We love you!

Something Small to Remember

So I know it's the day after Christmas, and of course we have a bunch of fun pictures to share, but I wanted to write this down before I forgot. The other day I filled up my gas tank for $11.37! Isn't that just amazing. I wanted to take a picture, but I thought people might look at me a little weird! Just a few months ago it cost me $4o.00 to fill up. I sure like it a lot better when it's only $11.37. (I know I am going to be one of those old ladies who tells her great-grandchildren about this! They'll just laugh and tell me that it costs them like $100 to fill up or something outrageous like that!) I know my Dad tells me that he used to fill up for $3.00. I have to admit that would be pretty great! Anyway, I just wanted to write that down, so I can look back in a year or so and compare prices. I guess I am just weird like that, I can still remember filling up my gas tank when I was a Junior in college and it was $1.98 a gallon. It stressed me out big time! I didn't know how I was going to survive if the prices went over $2.00. But I made it past that, I don't know how, but I did. So, as long as it will last, I am going to be grateful for filling up at $11.37!

What do you think??

So I wanted to show a picture of EmmaLee at about the same age Carter is at the moment. What do you think? Do they look the same?

Sledding and a break from school!

Neil took EmmaLee sledding yesterday, and she loved it! I am not a huge fan of the snow and cold, so of course I stayed home and enjoyed the afternoon with Carter. This week, it seems as though the high is about 32 degrees! Very cold, especially at night! I don't even want to know what the low is!! But on a happy note, Neil just finished his first semester of Graduate school. He has worked very hard this past semester. A lot of his time was spent in a cadaver lab. He even got to take us and some of his family to the lab, to show us who he has been dissecting for the past semester. I have to say I am very grateful for those people who are kind enough to donate their body to science, so people, like my husband, are able to learn at a more intense level, then just reading a book. So, one semester down and about 11 more to go! Yahoo! Anyway, Neil took his last final yesterday and was able to take EmmaLee out in the snow. They also met up with my nephew Travis and his wife Laura. So fun!

We've been robbed!

Today I decided that I was going to take the kids to my mom's and I went to go put them in the car and I had noticed that someone had stolen my stereo! The first thing I noticed was the big mess on the floor. I thought maybe Neil had to grab something out of the glove compartment and he was in a hurry. Nope, I was wrong! Someone had gone through it, and I assume was looking for money. The most frustrating part is that we live in a gated community and my car was parked under our carport, which is right out our sliding glass door! It also made me feel so violated. I hate knowing the someone was sitting in my car, going through my stuff. Neil filed a police report, even though we know there is nothing they can do. Our doors weren't locked, so I guess we were an easy target. It's just sad that those kind of things have to happen.

Chirstmas time and snow!

It snowed last Monday (all day!) and even though I am not a huge fan of it, it made it seem a little more like Christmas. I can't believe it is two weeks away. I have been enjoying the month because all of my Christmas shopping is finished. I need to do that every year, because I get to reflect more on why I love Christmas and the true meaning of what it's all about. Anyway, since it snowed, Neil was super excited to pull EmmaLee around on her little sled around our complex. EmmaLee had a great time, and she had her friend Cambria come with her. I just love the season, and I have to say that it was nice to get a bit of snow!

Quick update on Carter... six months

We went to the doctor for Carter's six month appointment. He is 19 pounds 1 ounce, which is the 80th percentile, 27 1/2 inches for height (90%) and his head size is 17.5 inches(75%). When he got his shots, he didn't even cry, he just let out a little squeal, and he was done! I was so shocked. Neil was proud when I told him, because he thought Carter was such a tough guy! He is starting to eat all of the baby foods, and cereals... but he isn't so much a good eater. I don't remember EmmaLee being like this, it is kind of frustrating. He just isn't interested in foods. I try every day... he also is being stubborn about taking a bottle. When he turned six months, I guess he just decided he wanted to have an opinion or something?? However, even with all of the frustrations, don't get me wrong, I love the sweetheart!

Six months

Today Carter is six months old! I can't believe how fast he has grown. We took some pictures of him and EmmaLee by the Christmas tree today. (We put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving) I remember when I was little and everyone used to say how fast time flies, I never really knew what that meant until I had kids of my own. It's true, it really is. Kids grow so fast! I just hope I can make all of my time with them as meaningful as possible, so when they grow up and have kids of their own, they will know their parents really loved them! Happy six-month birthday, Carter!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving we went to my parents' house. We ate a ton of delicious food! The normal... turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy, homemade rolls, veggies, salad... I could keep on going. It was yummy! We also played Bingo, which is a family tradition. There was lots of chocolate this year for the prizes. You can never go wrong with chocolate! But when EmmaLee won, she picked out licorice, she pretty much ate the whole bag! I didn't know she liked it that much! Neil also ate his prize.. a giant Snickers, and he didn't save room for one of the best parts about Thanksgiving.. Dessert! Yummy, I made sure I had plenty of room for pie and all of the other great desserts. We also looked at all of the Ads for Black Friday, and of course watched football. Later that night we went to Neil's parents house and just hung out and played some games. I don't know how we managed to eat more food, but we did. When so much good food is just sitting out, it is hard not to just eat it. It was a great Thanksgiving. I am so glad we have a holiday where we can think about all of the things we are thankful for. The thing that I am most grateful for this year would have to be my husband and two kids. I seriously love them so much, and wouldn't know what I would do without them!

A Weekend Away

Me pretending to workout while on vacation... who does that?

Neil and Ben after a game of racquetball.

Erica and Heidi in the hot tub! (Neil's sisters)

Moe, a gigantic fish that is outside, Em loved watching it.

EmmaLee posing by the big fish!

A couple of weeks ago, we went with Neil's family for a weekend away. Thanks to Jeff and Jill for using their time share. It was in Ogden Canyon and a ton of fun. The best part was all of the yummy food... oh and of course spending time with the family!

Saved by Ben's Van! (Sorry Ben!)

So last night Neil and I were visiting Neil's parents house, when suddenly we heard a very loud bang. We weren't sure what had happened, so Neil and Ben (Neil's brother) went outside to check it out. Let's just say, I'll try to be nice, a man who was under the influence hit Ben's parked work van! He hit Ben's work van so hard, that it hit our car and pushed it several feet back. (we were parked right behing him) Luckily, our car wasn't crushed, we just have a few scratches. However, since our parking break was on and it was thrust back so far, our parking break no longer works any more. We hope that nothing else is wrong, but we have to go and get it checked out. I've been on the phone with insurances to figure it all out. (Thanks Mindy for all of your help!) I mostly feel bad for Ben, just take a look at the picture! Thank goodness that it was his work van, and not his nice car! And thank goodness no one was in the cars when it happened. (well, our cars)