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!!!

Just a Quick Update

So I realized I don't update this blog enough. I really have good intentions. I have to admit I have been a bit lazy, our camera's batteries are dead and instead of changing them, I just haven't been taking pictures. I need to fix that problem fast because the girls have been playing outside so much and are so fun to watch.
Well let's see what's new with us? Friday was a big day for Madison, she had her kindergarten orientation. I was sitting there looking at all the other kids and thinking that she doesn't look as big as they do. I am in denial that she really is and she is more than ready for this next adventure in her life. Marli is just as sweet as can be, her personality melts my heart. I have always wanted a cuddly kid and she more than fills that for me. I can't get enough of her sweetness.
As for me I am now 24 weeks pregnant and feeling okay. I just feel huge!! According to my dr. I am measuring 3 weeks ahead. When I asked her if the baby is too big or if my due date is off, she just responded by saying "no it's just your third and you are just really big this time". Thanks Dr.!!!!! I have been keeping busy this pregnancy, I spend a lot of time with friends and family. I am also heading to New York tomorrow for a fun trip with my good friend. It will be so fun to go do one last big thing before baby #3 comes.
For all of you who know us well, you know this baby I am baking does not have a name. We can not agree on anything and it is getting frustrating. I really want to come to an agreement and start making cute things to hang in his room with his name on them. Soon we will post a poll on our blog and see what others think.
Okay well I will post later this week with my trip report of New York!! Have I mentioned how excited I am???

Academy of Country Music Awards

What a trip!

Saturday

Darren and I left Saturday afternoon and upon arriving in the Las Vegas Airport we were greeted by Dr. Pepper (our host for the trip). We were taken to the MGM Grand Hotel in a nice big bus and checked in. We then went and picked up all our tickets and information from the Dr. Pepper desk. We then got ready for the Dr. Pepper Welcome Reception that was taking place that night in a big ballroom. Well we weren't sure what to expect and being pregnant I thought it would be safe to eat first. So McDonald's it was. We got to the reception and was amazed at how much Dr. Pepper did for the party. It was a complete catered event with a full free bar. So having eaten I felt so dumb. Don't worry I still enjoyed their food. They had a band playing and then from 7-8 Chuck Wicks entertained the crowd. We had so much fun and even got daring and danced a little. When we returned to our room that night we found a welcome gift from Dr. Pepper, they had left us a cool little cooler filled with Dr. Pepper drinks. They had also given us some really nice watches.

Sunday

We woke up and went down to the MGM breakfast buffet (which was also included in the trip). The food was good and we were full and ready for the long day. We did a little shopping and played around in the gift shops. We went back to our room for about 2 hours to rest before the busy afternoon and night. We got ready in our nicest clothes and went to the Dr. Pepper pre-telecast party in the same ballroom from the night before. They also had it catered and it was all BBQ food (ribs, chicken, chili, cornbread, watermelon, corn on the cob). So this was a tough meal to eat in our nicest clothes. They had a band play for us and about 4:00 we left to go get our seats for the ACM Awards. Just so you know, I was wearing the highest heels I had ever worn, and my feet didn't appreciate the surprise going from daily flip flop wearing to these. I was carrying them by now and didn't expect to put them back on. We ended up with really great seats for the show and enjoyed it so much. The energy in the room makes the show even better. We did leave 30 min. before it ended to get to the All Star After Jam early and get a good table. We had no idea but people were buying tickets for the after party for up to $1000 a piece. We got there and did get great seats and enjoyed the free appetizers and drinks. John Rich MC'd the event and was hammered by the time he got there. He was really obnoxious!! We had such a fun night and were amazed by the entertainment. Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Emerson Drive, Jimmy Wayne, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Trace Atkins, James Otto, Jamey Johnson, and others performed the night away. I physically shut down about 12:30 in the morning and had to go back to the room and sleep. It was definitely an awesome party and I think I enjoyed it better than the awards show.

Monday

So when we woke up Monday morning we were still drained from the previous day. I started packing up our stuff and then we went downstairs and ate at the buffet for breakfast. We then had to catch our bus to the airport and left to come home. We flew in and went straight to get Madison and Marli from Allie's house. We missed them more than we had expected so seeing them made me glad to be home.

So overall it was a very eventful weekend. We never even left MGM. Even if we had wanted to gamble there was no time. This trip was night and day different than last years trip. I am so lucky to have won this trip 2 years in a row!! Darren and I had such a great time and we enjoyed the time away together.

Best Day of Darren's Life

As many of you may know Darren is a big fan of the band Radiohead. He would tell me when I was pregnant with Madison that she will like his music. Of course, I would tease back and say she would be a country music girl. When she was born he played Radiohead and all sorts of his music for her and I would roll my eyes. Well the other day she watched some of Twilight with me and the closing credits play a Radiohead song. She LOVES the song. She will turn the movie on and fast forward through the whole thing just to listen to the song at the end. So last night Darren put the Radiohead c.d. in the car and turned it to that particular song and she screamed with excitement, to which he said, "this is the best day of my life".

I'm not giving in though!!!!