Happy Graduation to Me!

Jake surprised me with a LARGE bouquet of lilies (my favorite) on that Thursday after the ceremony where Elder Ballard spoke. I always protest cut flowers because I love getting flowers to plant, but the lilies have be so pleasant and the fragrance in our apartment has been heavenly. Thanks, Jake!

There have been so many people I need to thank who helped me complete my degree. Thank you is really not enough. Going back to school with kids has been a sacrifice for many people and I really appreciate EVERYTHING. My parents, Jake's parents, Allison, my siblings and Jake's who have all been very supportive. In January, I started school and in my night class I met Drea ,who is an angel. We have had most of our classes together since then. We have smuggled many a cookie in to the library and in the process I made a great friend. At the beginning of the semester, I didn't even know how to use my laptop, or remember how to write a paper. I know how to work my laptop now and together we navigated a few papers. She even helped me arrive on time to graduation. After the first day of graduation, my family and I celebrated at Joe Bandito's Fiestaurant. It is a family favorite. Isaac could not be held back and dips everything into the amazing salsa and then acts like it is the hottest thing in the world, sticking his tongue out, but he gets a drink and goes back for more. Grace says her chip is relaxing, soaking in the salsa. There is no wrong way to eat it. Final picture is a testament to how spoiled I am. I picked out so fabulous wedge heels with navy blue flowers on them to wear for graduation. I Love them. Also right before graduation Allison took me to go get glitter toes courtesy of my Aunt Linda. I was showered with family and gifts for those two days and the whole time I was thinking about how I should be showering everyone with treats and gifts for giving me the opportunity to go back to school and do something that I have always wanted. So here I am world... A college grad. My skills include talking and thinking. I can critically evaluate the world I live in. I remembered what is was like to read books that make me think and I like that. I think I'll keep doing it.

Happy Birthday Jake!

Jake: A Year in Review (or the last 8 months)

Happy Birthday Jake!

Jake has been in New York all week and so we have yet to celebrate his birthday, but I thought I would do a little tribute to my wonderful husband who is one year older and wiser too. This past year has been one with many growing pains which he made seem almost painless. He is such a wonderful Dad who gives our children the world or at least shows them how to be excited by it. He is a great husband who tries to make all my dreams come true. He is a hard worker, a fixer, and an inventor. He can do math in his head (smart!) and is addicted to the news. Jake makes things happen! He is thoughtful and giving. Jake, we love you!

The cake is almost gone...

Graduation festivities are over. July is over. My first enrichment in charge of the food is over. The wedding is over. My life... is NOT over. Yes folks, there were a few stressful moments and there is no way I would have been able to do it on my own, but we did it!... all of it. I have been so busy that I forced myself not to blog so I could spend every waking moment doing exciting things like writing a paper called "Of Rice and Men: An Analysis of the Golden Rice Debate" and studying mighty hard for Statistics. (Questions about golden rice I probably could answer, but stats.... probably not.) While I was doing that Jake took care of the kids, gathered many rocks for me, and kept the house in relative order. My sister made roasted tomato soup, brownie balls and took the kids swimming. Ruth took care of Jake, the kids, and the house! My mom called me every day and willed me to graduation, and got everything I should have been in charge of for the wedding (clothes, etc.). Yes, getting me graduated was a group effort. (Disclaimer : I actually have one online class left just for credit and will start on that on Monday, but for all intensive purposes, I am graduated.) Lets go back to the middle of July:

Pioneer day! We went to Salt Lake for the parade and met Allison in a lovely spot surrounded by people who I am sure were lovely, but with not so lovely mouths. Luckily Grace was too busy watching the parade and picking up treasures (trash) off the ground to pick up any new vocabulary. James flew into Salt Lake that morning and met us at the parade. It was great to see him. My favorite part of the parade was when Grace saw the first horse and buggy and cried out, "There is Pet and Patty!" (The horses out of the books Little House on the Prairie.) I am always so impressed with Grace's memory. We are on book three of the series and Grace and Isaac love those books (Jake too).

Sometime in the middle of July, I was able to attend Wendy's bridal shower in preparation for the big day! August 11. This is the bridal shower with basket provided by my sisters, my mom and I.
The night before the wedding my parents held a wonderful dinner at the Pizza Factory. Marmee decorated the tables with white and orange flowers and See's Chocolates! Grace stayed faithfully by the food table where on the end two little fish swam in a big bowl. Cutey and Sparkle have, since then, deceased. James gave a fabulous best man's speech which was able to convey Justin's previous difficulties with personal hygiene and what a wonderful person he is. Once again, Allison was always there at the right moments when I needed a little extra help with the wild ones.

The wedding was wonderful. My Grandpa was able to fly in from Florida and seal Justin and Wendy in the Salt Lake Temple. It is so beautiful to have my Grandfather be the person to seal them for time and eternity. Family binding families, literally. Needless to say, I got a little teary-eyed. The reception, at the library, was beautiful. We were able to get a few pictures of the little ones, and Justin and Wendy looked fabulous too. Well folks, I'm going to leave it here for tonight. Reliving the graduation celebration will have to wait for tomorrow.

Daddy's Big Boy!

Isaac is fascinated by personal hygene and was so pleased to find something boys get to do (we discourage his makeup wearing). He love to brush his teeth, fix his hair, and wash his hands, but this is the best! He is so cute. The picture seems to say it all.

The 4th

I have a confession. I am flawed. For all those who thought I didn't know it, I do. Where is this leading you may ask? Let me tell you a story... We planned to go to Jackson Hole WY for the 4th of July. Jake's sister lives there and she lured us up there with amazing stories of the festivities-- throwing entire ears of corn off floats at the parade, free gondola rides, etc. Jake came home from New York on Thursday morning and a few hours later we left. The kids were great and Grace would have been entertained the entire way with her new favorite song, "John Jacob Jinglehimer Smith" if it wouldn't have scared Sam and made him cry with the NA NA NAs. We arrived that night and the kidos began playing with their cousins (Isaac wants to be just like the big boys: picture above). This lasted until the next afternoon when we left. Yes, I melted down. (If anyone questions where Grace's emotions come from...) So the rest of the Fourth of July weekend was spent in good old Orem. (Side note: The picture is of a potato bug Grace drew on Jake's sister's driveway. I am so proud!) Jake took Grace and Isaac to the balloon festival, we ate lunch at Brick Oven, and sat on the lawn in front of the Provo Temple and watched fireworks. "The stadium was really on fire" according to Grace. Grace also rekindled a love of glowsticks which will be the subject of the next post. (video included) That is the story and Jake still loves me! Jake is taking Grace and Isaac back up in a few weeks so Grace and Isaac will get another chance to play with their cousins. I think I shall cook Jake a feast for being so wonderful. Speaking of cooking I think I found a marinara sauce recipe I will use for enrichment and I tried a cold mint pea soup that I think will add a little elegance (thanks for the recipe Marmee). I still need to try making my cream puff mountain. If anyone has any suggestions I am still formulating the menu for Aug enrichment (an elegant dinner has been requested). So far it seems like Cold Soup, chicken parmeasan, roasted veggies, and cream puff mountain under the theme, A View from the Top. (Humm... decoration suggestions would be appreciated too). Everyone will be glad though that they won't have to eat anymore spagetti. Jake is willing to try as many cream puffs as it will take. All is well that ends well and it is time to get back to school. FOCUS!

Summer Days... Happen so Fast

Summer is flying by. I can’t believe that it is July. Some things show signs of summer progressing while other things aren’t exactly the way we thought they would be. The garden is moving along nicely except the tomato plants. I had no idea I would be obsessed with the garden. I check it in the morning and evening with Grace and Isaac and we look for any new signs of life. It is amazing that these plants can grow from a tiny seed. Grace eats the peas as fast as they grow. Sam is sitting up, loves wheat and raisin cereal, and babbles like crazy. He can scoot wherever he wants and I know he will be crawling soon. We thought Isaac would be talking by now, but he is still behind the curve. Soooo… while we think he will eventually talk we decide to see if we could get him some help. He qualified for help from the state program called Kids On the Move based on his expressive language. We are so excited some tips. He is such a big helper so we are glad to find a way to help him. We sent a package to Papa in Kuwait and Isaac was willing to send Papa his blankets. Grace who equally loves her blankie wouldn't part with it, but she didn't mind so much when we said we would box her up with them. Grace is growing up. She reached an important mile stone... (drumroll please) She learned how to blow a bubble with her gum. I also had to include this random picture of Grace as a butterfly. She came into the house with two rather long sticks and asked me to put them on her head as butterfly antennas. Grace has big plans almost everyday, and it is excited to find out what kind of party she want to throw, thing to dress up as or item she wants to make or sale. We are always in for an adventure. Jake has been good to help make it happen for her this summer. He did squeeze in a trip to New York City for work and a little bit of play. I included a picture of the triangle building where the Deli is. It is Jake's home away from home. The apricots are still green on the trees (we have been waiting since Memorial Day for them), but the mesquitos are letting us know it is summer. We have to spray Grace and Isaac every time they go out to play. The weather has been so cold and rainy that Jake, Grace and Isaac have only been swimming twice and once with Allison. We have had one trip to the emergency room which seems to happen any time of the year. Poor Isaac was dancing and fell head first on the fireplace bricks. There were no stitches, but Jake wanted to make sure he would have the smallest scar possible. Grace took a cooking class this past month with her cousin; she loved it. I can’t wait for her to start preschool because I know she will love it too. Speaking of school, I received an A, A-, and B+ for spring term. Summer term is 1/3 over and it is definitely going by quickly. During the “break,” we visited Utah Lake beach. Since I really only had one day, we decided to take a vacation close to home. I was skeptical, but it turned out great. Grace pulled me around in our inflatable raft while Jake and Isaac threw rocks in the water. Sam took a nap in the shade. That night we went to the carnival in town. Isaac loved the apple that spins ride and “driving” the car. Grace was very excited about the ferris wheel. While this summer isn’t exactly what we envisioned, I don’t think we could have planned it better.