7 Years and Counting

I just wanted to wish my dear husband a Happy Anniversary. He is such a wonderful person. I thought I loved him on our wedding day, but seeing him with our children and with 7 years behind us I love him more today. He has become my best friend!! There are so many reasons I love and appreciate him. I just want him to know how much he truly means to me. I am grateful for all of our hard times and tests of our marriage, we are so much stronger now. He has taught me so much about myself and for that I will be forever in debt to him. He has so many amazing qualities that there are times I wonder how I lucked out to find him. I definitely married above myself and I consider myself very LUCKY!!!! I am so happy and am having the best time of my life with him and my kids.

I love you babe, Happy Anniversary!!!!

New York

Better late than never, right? One of my very best friends invited me to New York with her husband and her and it was so much fun. No kids, shopping, eating and relaxing - PERFECT trip!!! Here is my trip report.

-Monday-

Our flight left at 5:00 pm and I was really freaked out because I get motion sickness and this wasn't an hour or two flight. I was so surprised at how smooth it was and how fast it really went. I was able to play games and watch TV. The only bad thing was I had to keep getting up to use the bathroom and stretch my legs. We got to The Waldorf at 11:30 and we were all really hungry so we ordered room service and shortly went to bed.

-Tuesday-

Tina and I woke up and walked to a little cafe and had bagels and juice. We then walked over to Rockefeller Center to take their tour and go to the top. I was totally amazed at the size of all the buildings. People are everywhere walking and the only thing you see in the streets are yellow cabs and black limos. I was not in Utah, that was for sure. When we were at the top we got some amazing pictures of New York. The temperature was almost 90 so I was feeling uncomfortable after we were done there. We went shopping at H&M (coolest store!) and found some fun things. After shopping I was exhausted and so I went back to the room and slept while Tina went out and did more shopping. We got ready for WICKED and walked to Broadway to see the show. We stopped at this really cool 50's diner for dinner. The waiters and waitresses want to be on Broadway so they sing to you the whole time you are eating. It was really loud, but as soon as they started singing songs we liked we loved it, and sang along. We then went to the show and we were blown away by the details and singing. It was so much fun!!! We then met Jared at Juniors, a cheesecake place, and ate cheesecake. I hauled my first cab and we went back and fell right to sleep.

-Wednesday-

We got up and got ready for our breakfast reservations at Le Parker Meridian. We made the long walk (have I mentioned we walked a lot). Breakfast was so good. We each got the waffle that is covered in fruit and then creme brulee on top. Food in New York is not cheap!!! On average we would spend $20 on each meal. Believe me we weren't going to super nice places either. We then went shopping to the Disney Store, Gap, and FAO Schwartz. I loved that toy store, we spent so much time there. It was actually fun being there without kids to chase around. I got to get my picture on the piano featured in the movie BIG. We walked to Central Park and sat there for a while and then stopped in Trump Tower for ice cream. We went back to the room and ended up falling asleep for over 2 hours. It was a colder day so we weren't eager to leave the hotel. Jared got back and we went to eat at this really good place Houston's. I got a big hamburger and was in heaven. We went back to the room and watched TV and went to bed.

-Thursday-

We really slept in and took our time leaving the room. We checked out at noon and then went out shopping. We went back to H&M and hit some other stores. We decided for lunch to go back to Trump Tower for their lunch special. Jared ended up being done with work early and met us there. We didn't want to shop anymore and didn't have time to do much else so we went back to the Waldorf and got our bags and took a cab to the airport. We waited at the airport for quite sometime. Jared was SO nice and gave me his first class ticket. This was new for me and I loved it. The flight home was so long and I was so excited when I saw we were in Utah. I got home around midnight and went right to sleep.

This was such a fun trip!!! I couldn't believe how nice our hotel was. Thanks again to Jared and Tina for this once in a lifetime experience!!! Also a big thank you to Darren for staying home and watching the girls. You are the BEST!

Gardner Village

Feeding the few ducks there



Tina and Clayton



My posers



Clayton, Marli and Madison



The girls in a really cute sleigh


Now that the weather is getting nice I want to take the kids to do something fun atleast once a week. Today we went to Gardner Village with Tina and Clayton. The girls love going there, because they have ducks to feed. We only saw about 3 ducks today so that was disappointing. With 3 kids it made going into stores a little tough, but we did manage a quick look in a furniture store, a baby store and the candy store (very brief there). I did get a few cute pictures. I'm starting to get a little nervous on how I will take the kids places after the baby is born. I do have a great friend, Tina is so generous to help anytime with the kids. We did have a great time and I'm excited to do something next week.

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to comment on the amazing opportunity I have to be a mother and to pay tribute to the female figures in my life.
I had always heard you will experience no greater love until you have children. I never fully understood to what degree this would be for me. From the moment I have felt my children kicking in my stomach to the sight of them playing dolls together, I am beyond words and expression on how much I really do love them. They have filled my life with such meaning and fullness. Watching each of them grow and develop into their own personality gives me such joy. I ask myself all the time what I did to deserve them. I won't lie, being a mom is hard work, but it is without a doubt the most fulfilling job out there!!! As I sit here typing I can feel the little life inside me moving, and I can't help but smile. I just hope I can be a good mom to all my children and make a difference in their life as my mom did in mine.
Speaking of my mom, how do I even begin expressing my love and appreciation to her? She is unlike any other mom I know. Everybody she meets just loves and adores her. She has a sense of humor, personality, honesty and integrity that people are drawn to. I can't tell her enough how lucky I am to have her as my mom. She has always been more than a mom to my sisters and I, she has been a friend. She is also such a strong example in my life, and I want her to know that. She is a wonderful, loving grandma to her grandkids. I love you so much mom!! Happy Mother's Day.
I would also like to express a very Happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law. Georgia is such a kind and caring person. I can't believe how much she truly loves her kids and grandkids. It amazes me to see her plan parties and events, she really does enjoy being with her family. I want to thank her for raising such a wonderful son. Darren is perfect and I owe it all to her!! Thank you!!! I love you!
Last but not least I want to express my love for my sisters. Allie and Amanda are not only great sisters, they are amazing moms. I watch them look at their little boys and see the love and admiration they feel and it truly amazes me. I love that they can experience an unconditional love as I have. How can these girls be the same ones I played house with growing up? They have always been best friends of mine and I feel so lucky to be close by to see their adorable kids and have them around for advice. They are great examples to me. I love you guys!!
I want to also say how much I love my youngest sister Becky! She is not a mom, but she is a strong female example in my life. If I had to describe the perfect teenager it would be her. She is so goal oriented it gives me inspiration to be a better person. I can't believe she will soon be heading to college. Words cannot say how much I will miss her!!! More importantly my kids will miss her. I know she will do such great things and become an even stronger person than she is. I love you Becky!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms!!!