Weekend Fun

Last weekend (March 11-13) we made a trip to Twin Falls. We got to town about noon and met my dad and his wife Tammy at McDonald's. When we walked in the kids ran up to him and gave him big hugs. After lunch they took us to a place called Hop 2 It. It is filled with jump houses. The kids had so much fun! They were so red in their faces! It made me laugh because the employee said he didn't know kids could sweat till he started working there.



It was so good to see my dad. The last time we saw him Porter was only 6 months old. We had a great time and I learned a lot about him and our family! Thank you!






































After we left the bounce house, we went to my brother's house. My Mom and Dad were already there. The reason for the mass gathering was to celebrate my nephew, Brent's, 4th birthday. He just came to our family last summer so this was the first birthday with him. Friday was dinner, a trip to the mall, and a movie since it was later in the day. The Last 3 Days was quite the edge of your seat movie! And going to the mall with my nieces and nephews was a fun time! They are such good, fun kids.

Saturday was a lot of fun. It was birthday day! Kasey had a meeting that went till noon. It gave us time to go to Target and get new swimsuits for the girls. Mom, Dad, and I took my girls and cousin Lily. It was so cute. We had probably 10 suits and all 5 of us girls were in a dressing room. They were so cute modeling for each other and looking in the mirror. Suits with skirts was the clear winner this year.

After lunch we went swimming at the Y and the girls were able to show off their cute suits. My kids had so much fun! Water babies. Brinn was crazy! She was everywhere! Ainsley's highlight was swishing her skirt. She has some Latin hips that one! And Porter was content to stay on the stairs and play catch with me and Grandma.














I thought this was so cute! Porter was loving the piano and Lance sat down with him and played for a while. Porter was loving it. I think we may have to start piano lessons for the kids.














Saturday morning Dad, Chant, Lance, and Hunter went to a rock show. That's Dad thing. But they all had a great time. That afternoon Chant and Dad were on the computer checking out different types of gems and I don't know what else. They were in their own world for a long time.







Saturday evening it was party time. Tracy had made a Spiderman vs. Hulk birthday cake. Very creative!

(Porter, Brinn, Lily, Ainsley, Luke, and Brent.)










(Grandma, McKenzie, Kasey, Ashley, and Lacey)
















Brent was so darn cute! He was so excited about the cake! After he blew out his candles he took them out and starting licking off the frosting. He knew what was up.












Love this picture! Spiderman was the clear winner. He got a Spiderman shirt and shoes. He was a happy little boy.

























Lacey, Z, and Ashley













It was such a fun weekend and we are so glad we were able to be there to help him celebrate! Happy birthday Brent!

Rambling Thought on Faith

I believe in my Savior Jesus Christ. I know I have a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers my prayers. I have faith that He will answer them, even though it may not be how I want or in the timetable I want. But, does having faith mean that I go through my day completely unconcerned about anything, just having faith that everything will be okay? Or can it still be considered faith if I have worries and fears about the future but I still wake up everyday and put one foot in front of the other on the path I know I should be on. Does faith mean having a complete absence of fear or can it mean having fears but putting them aside long enough to move forward instead of standing still or taking the easier path that is not the right path? I hope that in times when we are at our lowest Heavenly Father will accept the act of moving forward even though we are fearful enough of a display of faith. I know things will be okay in the end, sometimes it is just the unknown of what will happen on the journey to the pot of gold that is terrifying. So hopefully what I have to give is enough and the Savior will step in and give me a boost when it's not.

BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

(Warning: This may possibly be the longest post ever, but I'm not sorry!)

My birthday was yesterday, the 13th, but we celebrated it Saturday. A few weeks ago we were in Provo and I saw a poster advertising a Mindy Gledhill concert on Feb 12th. I dropped the largest hint ever, well basically I told Chant he needed to buy tickets. I even wrote down the website where the tickets could be bought. And of course my man came through. So Saturday was THE day I had been anticipating for weeks, or maybe longer since I have wanted to see Mindy Gledhill in concert since the moment I heard her first song. I guess in order for this post to really mean much, I have to explain that I adore Mindy. She has the voice of an angel and her lyrics are beautiful. She makes me happy, keeps me calm and sane. She is to me what Micheal Jackson is to Chant, Paul Simon is to Susan, and Switchfoot is to Ben (you know who you are).

Jen showed up about 1:30 to babysit and by 3:00 the kids were pushing us out the door. They wanted Jen to themselves. So Chant and I wandered around Hobby Lobby and then went to dinner at Olive Garden. DELICIOUS! (That picture way up there is Chant at the restaurant.)
After we finished dinner we drove to Provo. The doors didn't open until 7:30. It wasn't even 6:00. So we wandered through some Boutiques, walked up and down the street for a while, and finally about 6:50 sat on a bench in front of the venue, Velour. We were insanely early because I wanted to be the first ones there because seating was first come first seated. And we were the first ones in line!



There I am at the head of the line anxiously waiting to take my front row seat.
















The inside was so decorated so cute, in red for Valentine's Day. Twinkle lights and hearts topped it off.











Here we are in all our front row glory!



























I absolutely adored the chandelier. Loved the ambiance of it all.



























And I had to get a picture of this awesome art.













The show was supposed to start at 8:00 but it didn't start till 8:30. The wait was well worth it. The opening act was an Indie singer named Libbie Linton. She was really good! A nice way to start the evening.









This is Mindy's guitar player. He flew in all the way from LA to be here. And he is amazing! (Sorry I can't remember his name.)





So, backing up a little. Mindy is the one who introduced Libbie. Mindy came out with a Jamba Juice in hand and told us that she was losing her voice but the show would still go on. She asked that we sing along with her when her voice went out. So when Libbie finished singing Mindy came in front of the stage, right in front of Chant and I, carrying 4 different drinks. After she had set them down, she turned around and came right over to me. She held her cell phone out and asked if I would take pictures of the show. I was in shock. Of course I said yes. But I was an I Phone and I am technologically retarded, so I handed it off to Chant so he could figure it out. There is no way I was going to give it back! He took pictures of her on her phone while I snapped away with our camera.

This was an amazing evening! True to her request, the audience, myself included, sang every single song along with Mindy. At the end of one song she started laughing. She said she could tell there were men there supporting their wives who didn't really know the lyrics but were singing along anyway. Chant yelled, "I'm sorry!" Mindy has an amazing voice even when she was losing it. And she is a wonderful performer. I loved watching her sing. Each song meant a lot to her and it showed. And I loved hearing the background behind the songs. I loved them before and now they mean that much more. She is an a beautiful person inside and out. It was the best evening ever!














She asked for her phone back before the last song because she wanted to take pictures of the audience. Not going to lie, I was bummed because I thought I would be able to give it back to her at the end of the show and talk to her. But when she finished singing she came to the front of the stage. I was so excited! I waited for a few minutes and then I was able to talk to her. I asked her to sign the t-shirt Chant had bought for me. She told me thank you for taking pictures for her. And then I was able to get my picture taken with her. I have the cheesiest grin ever! I was so thrilled to be talking to her! It was seriously a dream come true! She is amazing! The BEST birthday ever! Thank you so much Chant! You are an amazing husband and I had the best time ever!




























Now to my actual birthday. Since we don't have Church till 1:00, we got up, got ready and took a drive to Brighton. We were able to watch all the people skiing down the hill. The kids said they looked like little ants. Then we came home in time to get lunch then go to church. For dinner we had French Toast and scrambled eggs per my request. Brinnley and Ainsley had decorated the house for me so I sat in the birthday chair that was decorated with pink and white streamers.

Then they all sang me happy birthday and we had cake. Kerry and Frances came over for a while. It was so nice to be close enough that they could do that. Thank you!

My dear friend Becca called while they were here, so I didn't answer because I wanted to be able to talk. I called her back after Kerry and Frances left. I was on the phone to her in my room when Chant came in and said there were three people in the living room and I needed to come down stairs. I told Becca I had to got and I would call her back. I could tell she was disappointed. When I got downstairs there stood Becca's mom and two sisters (Lisa and Heather). They said Becca had asked them to come over and see me since she couldn't be here. They had flowers and chocolate. And I had tears. Seriously so sweet! They stayed and talked for over an hour and it was so nice. I felt like my dear friend was here with me. So thoughtful! Love you Becca! And I got so many phone calls and happy birthday wishes on Facebook. It was an amazing day and I feel so loved! Truly, the best birthday ever!














P.S. Mindy blogged about the concert on her blog. The pictures of Mindy are ones Chant took. He also took the sideways shot of me and the other front row people. Check it out. Her blog is mindygledhill.blogspot.com and the post is titled A Valentine Miracle.

Lunchtime Conversations

B: Wasn't that game great last night? (Referring to the Super Bowl)
A: Yep, it was great!
B: Who won?
Mom: Green Bay.
B: Bummer I wanted the Steelers to win. I'm in love with them. Weren't the Black Eyed Peas great? Ainsley, who painted your toes?

All I can say is it's a good thing they have Auntie J to explain the game! And don't you just love how easily distracted kids are? Crack me up!

More Than You Know

It is 6:31 a.m. The pounding sound of feet come down the hall towards our bedroom. In barges Ainsley Jean. "There's a 6 and a 3. Can we have breakfast now?" Chant gets out of bed and heads to the kitchen while I put on my exercise clothes and shoes. Chant is busy pouring cereal and cooking eggs when I pop in my workout video. In the 45 to 50 minutes I am jumping around the living room Chant is busy cleaning up the breakfast dishes, unloading and reloading the dishwasher, helping the kids get dressed, and sometimes doing hair.

This has been our routine for the past few weeks. I am so grateful for a husband that so willingly carries the load so that I can have that time to work on me. I feel stronger in body and mind. I feel proud of myself that I have been doing this five times a week. I feel good for setting this example for my children. But it would not be possible, or at least it would be incredibly more difficult, for me to do this without him. So thank you Chant for your love, encouragement, and support. It means more to me than you will ever know! I love you!

To My Son

Dear Porter,
This is your mother. I just wanted to tell you that I love you. I love the way way you curl up in bed with your horse pillow pet, Hootie, and Monster all tucked safely under your arms and then stick your bum in the air and ask for a song before falling alseep. I love that you ask to sing either "the Bird song" or "You Are My Sunshine" and that you sing along with me. I love that you wander around the house singing "Baby, baby, oh thought you'd always be mine." I love it when we get in the car and you say "Turn it up!" after we turn the radio on. Even though I probably shouldn't, I love it when you get frustrated and say "ugh." I love that you prop your chin up with your hand while you eat dinner. I love that you eat your dinner! I love your smile! I love it when I ask where your ears are and you pull them out so you look like Dumbo. I love it when you grab your kissable cheeks and pull them out. SO cute! I love your expressive eyes and the facial expressions that make me laugh because they say it all, just like mine do. I love it when you smile and your top lip disappears. I love it when you kiss people you grab their cheeks and give them a big smooch. I love it when you climb on my lap and cuddle with me. You are so snuggly. I love it when you call your sister Bimmy Beff. So adorable! I love that you love to color and draw and do puzzles. I love that you love horses so much, just like your sister. You play with them every day. I love it when we sit down together and read books. You always pay attention and then afterward you tell me the story. I love it when you want to do things by yourself, like buckle your own carseat straps. I love it when you sing along to the songs on your favorite shows. I love it that when I look at you I see a mini version of your Daddy. Porter I just love you so much. I love your full of life, active, loving personality. I love you to the moon and back!

Forever and always,
Mommy

My 6 year old's special day!

Jan 26 Brinnley Beth turned 6 years old. We had a party for her that night. Opa and Oma (Chant's dad and step-mom), Jen, and Teran came over. We had the traditional pizza dinner and then opened presents. This little lady got some great things that she was very excited about.








Jen gave her a book explaining her gift. She took Brinn out for a girls' day the next Saturday. The book outlined what they would do. They visited the City Library, went to lunch and dinner, got a manicure, went ice skating, and took a carriage ride around Temple Square. Lets just say Brinnley had a permanent smile plastered on her face when she got home that evening. It was amazing!

Teran got her one of those fun coloring books that has the magic markers that only write on the book. They love it! Her and Ainsley have been coloring all sorts of pictures.




Opa, Porter, and Oma
















This banner was wrapped around the book. It says, "Girls Night Out with Auntie J."











Oma and Opa got her the entire Tangled figure set and the story book. It was a special treat to have Opa read the book to them. She loves it! We have been playing all sorts of games involving towers and bad witches. It's been fun!





And Mom and Dad got Miss Brinn a Calico Kitty play set that is the nursery with baby twin kittens and baby twin Hedgehogs. Now both the girls have a set and they have had so much fun playing together.








Porter was Brinnley's last present. He got all wrapped up and gave her a big hug.

















Brinnley wanted something special this year for her cake. I thought about making horse cupcakes but just didn't have the time. So she got the largest, double layer cake I could make. One layers was chocolate cake and the other was rainbow with rainbow chip frosting. I think she was excited about it.




This is Jen and Brinn on the 29th before heading out for their girls day. They were both so excited! It was so cute! They both had a blast and I think they also slept really well that night!





Happy Birthday baby girl, we love you!

Jr. High Flashback

When I was in 6th grade my parents and I moved from Burley, Idaho to Ashton, Idaho. We had lived in Burley two years and I had one good friend who had been to my home less times that I could count on one hand. Burley was hard for me. So when I learned that we were moving, I was so nervous. If I only had only made one friend in two years, how long would it take me to make friends in a new place? Turns out my worries were justified. It took me a year to make a friend in Ashton. My only friend during that lonely time was my amazing teacher, Mrs. Hamilton.

Making friends kind of reminds me of Jr. High dances. Everyone sits on the bleachers in nervous anticipation, wanting to dance but waiting to be asked. The first phases of friendship are its own awkward dance. Do I call, do I not call? Do I text? Should I just stop over to say hi? What if the phone call isn't returned, do I try again? Why is it so hard? Insecurities? Self-preservation? Fear of opening up to someone only to have it thrown in your face? Yep. But still the need to share a part of myself with someone who cares is so strong. I want those chats on the phone about taking care of sick kids and how gross it was, the funny thing my husband did, the deeper conversations about the Gospel and my growth in it. Husbands are wonderful confidants, but sometimes they just don't care about make-up or throw up. That's a girls job. So I guess today I am allowing myself one day to have a pity party, to miss my friends who shared these things and so much more with me.

Then, tomorrow I think I will walk across the street and say "hi." Because I am sick of sitting on that bleacher waiting to be asked.