Happy Day!

Kenyon's curls are back. One benefit to Jeremy working out of town for the last month - he hasn't had time to shave Kenyon's head. So those soft, divine curls of his are here for a while and I love 'em!

My completely, insane, psycho, running husband

Jeremy is running in this race this weekend... even with his hurt knee! It is 202 miles! Yes, it is divided up by 12 runners on his team, but still - 202 miles! I don't even like to drive that far! What a man!

Better late than never!

Just as Nana and Grandpa requested - pictures from Maya's birthday party.

Playing with the parachute

Most of the kids at the party

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to" (when I get out of musical chairs!)

Loving her presents!

And her cupcakes!

While Kenyon loved crowns (he is going to love that picture when he is older!)...

And tackling kids!

P.S. I really am going private this week - as soon as I figure out how to do it! :)

Unattended Children, Part 2

When mom takes a shower:

Kenyon puts tampons in the retirement jug. I guess if it is not full of money something should be in there!

Private?!

Yes, I know I am very anti-private blogs, but I think I am about to jump on the bandwagon. I had strange comments posted on here recently (I think they are junk mail, but still scary!) and then if we are doing foster care, I should keep things more confidential as well. So I will go private in a week or so. Send me your email address if you want to be invited: britanyut@yahoo.com.

Non-computer techy grandparents: Don't worry, I am setting up an account for you to view from so you will still be able to see our exciting life :).

On My Mind Tonight...

First, do you think it is time to take my Christmas card off the top of our blog or can I leave it up all year?

Second, yesterday I flew to California and back to deliver "goods" to my good friend Elise. Those "goods" were her children who have been staying here with our friend Kiara. What a sweet reunion I witnessed as they embraced in the airport. Elise is doing so much better and is working on gaining back energy and strength before she starts chemo next week. Please pray for her!

Next, today I met with our foster care worker to get started. Yes, we are going to do foster care next. This is a journey we have always felt compelled to do, but wanted to wait until our family is "complete" before going down this road. Who knows where it will lead us, but we are ready to hang on for dear life. We are open to children ages 0-3 years old. To think, we could have a baby in our home in just a couple of months! Until then I am busy filling out paperwork and getting our house in order for the big inspection.

So, we have also been thinking about getting a bigger car. Yesterday we scoured the internet looking at SUVs. Jer is set on a minivan, but I am not feeling the love. The final decision: let's wait and save some more money to put towards it. We haven't had a car payment for aquite a while and once we started looking at numbers, I decided the Corolla will last a while longer!

Speaking of Jeremy, he is gone again. Going on week 4 of working out of town. Single moms and ladies out there with traveling husbands - I salute you!

Finally, I still haven't posted pics of Maya's birthday "get together." I decided we only have parties every other year now so I called it a "get together" instead, but it was very much a party. Hopefully pics will come soon!

Thanks for listening to my ramblings. This is what you get when I don't have a husband to pillow talk with! Anyone have any thoughts, opinions, questions, advice for me?! If not, that is okay because Jeremy usually doesn't respond to my ramblings either.

Good night!

The Day of Love

That sweetheart of mine brought home flowers not only for me, but for his daughter too. One red rose for Maya - "Red roses are my favorite!" she exclaimed.

If I have to share him on Valentine's, there is no one else I would rather share him with.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Unattended Children

When Mom turns her back to blog:

Kenyon dumps goldfish crackers all over the toy room.

Our Trip to Yuma

We took an overnight trip to Yuma to visit my grandparents this weekend. Plenty of fun for all:

Picking citrus from the trees

We juiced 4 gallons!

Giving this one a taste test

Watching trains go by

Doing some electrical work

Playing in dirt, dirt and more dirt

Grandma even stocks her house with cars, trucks and motorcycles

Now if dad wouldn't have stayed in Yuma to work, the trip would have been complete :(

Happy Birthday Maya!

My dear Maya,

4 years old! You are growing up so fast. This year your brain has been growing at extreme speeds. Each time you come home from preschool you have learned something new. I love it!

You give the best cuddles around. I love that first thing in the morning you ask me for some cuddles. I can't think of a better way to start my day.

Now that that little brother of yours isn't so little anymore, he is a challenge! He takes your toys, sits on you, bites you, hits you, yet is completely, undeniably in love with you. When he wakes up in the morning or from naps, it is you ("Aya!") that he calls for. You have so much patience and gentleness with him. Nothing makes me happier than when you take him by the hand and lead him off to play with you. Such an amazing big sister you are!

You have such a sweet spiritual side to you as well. You are the first to remind us to say our prayers at meals and read our scriptures at night. Many times your prayers humble me to tears. They are so sincere and completely from your heart.

I hope you are enjoying a birthday celebration at school today and I promise a party at home just for you this weekend when Daddy returns.

Love,
Mom and Dad







P.S. Of course I needed to share some of my favorite pictures of you!

7 Blissful Years!

Today is our anniversary - 7 years. There have been good times and bad, but at this point in our marriage I would say we are very, very content - no 7 year itch here!

Jeremy is working out of town this week (and last week!), so we had big plans for a fancy date night Saturday night. Then we had a 5:50 a.m. wake up call... well more like coughing and yelling of "I am going to throw up!" Maya continued to vomit all day long. Babysitter was canceled, as well as the reservations, and we spent the night cleaning up puke instead. Not my idea of romance, but at least we were together and that is the best place to be.

Happy Anniversary Babe! I would like a rain check for that date night real soon!