Can You Guess My New Best Friend?

Okay. Here's a little contest. Winner will get their favorite treat hand delivered to their door. No joke. I make mean chocolate chip cookies. Don't be a poor sport and not leave a comment - I'll hunt you down.

Rules: Try to guess what (not who) my new best friend is. Leave your guess in the comments. Also post what your favorite treat is (hopefully you will guess right and that treat will find its way to your door). In the off chance more than one person guesses correctly, I'll throw the names in a hat and draw a winner.

Here are the clues:

1. It goes everywhere with me, except for the car.
   
2. It makes my life, chores, blah, blah, blah, easier.
   
3. Even though I love it, it slows me down.
   
4. It only weighs two pounds, but won't fit in my purse.
   

Good luck! Happy guessing.

Sweet and Sassy

I love this picture. It couldn't better depict this sweet and sassy Sam. She has a strong personality (like her mom): amazingly smart, perceptive and can give you a run for your money.

I love you sweet girl. Happy Birthday.

Happy Girl

Cassidy Star is one! Happy Birthday happy girl! This little girl makes me laugh. She is a ball of energy and would rather be jumping or splashing than anything else. Thank you for making me smile sweet girl.

Invalids

We've been away playing for a week (post to come soon) and have returned to sickness, injury, and sleepless nights.

First day back, I sprained my ankle badly during a soccer game. I'm mad.

Owen woke from his nap Saturday afternoon with goopy eyes. Instacare confirmed an infection. A day of antibiotics later, he is no longer contagious and should be happy right? Wrong.

Owen woke from his nap Sunday afternoon with bloody, disgustingly goopy ears. Fortunately for me, I have antibiotics for his ears (as a result of chronic ear infections), so I don't have to return to the doctor to begin treatment. Lots of tears and screams, but hopefully within the next day or two, he'll be out of control (in a good way) again.

We look pretty banged up between the two of us, but there is only room for improvement right?

Courage

Saturday, Joey, Owen and I attended a Make-A-Wish party for a friend's little girl. She was diagnosed with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD). Essentially, this beautiful little girl developed normally until about age two, but since that time is rapidly losing control of most bodily functions and now needs to be held like a small baby. She does not have much longer to live. Her father held her lovingly, while children and parents played at Flips gym for her party.

Owen had a ball climbing, running, jumping and looking at his performance in the mirror. We were blessed by this incredible family, who has found happiness, peace and courage through adversity. This sweet girl, lying limp in her father's arms, smiled as the crowd sang Happy Birthday. She was touched, as we all were, by this simple song.

We were each given bracelets that said "courage" on them and the following quotes:

"Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it." - Mark Twain

"This is courage in a man; to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends." - Euripides

Off the Beaten Path

As Spring hopefully finds its way to Utah very soon, I think it is about time I post our winter adventures. Joey, Owen and I headed into the foothills behind our apartment and enjoyed a beautiful Winter day.

Leftovers

Joey and I attended a party over the holidays where we exchanged white elephant gifts. I purchased some candy and "Utah" lip gloss for one recipient and gourmet soda in a "Utah" mug for another. Joey wanted to keep the mug and soda for himself.

During the course of the white elephant exchange, Joey and I were called home to pick up our son. The next day, the gifts we received were waiting for us on our doorstep. I "won" (I use the term loosely) a sack filled with toiletries from hotels across America (collected by a medical student during his cross country interviews). Joey received the socks/slippers I model in the picture above.

At first glance, you might think that we got the short end of the stick. I assure you, however, the leftover gifts we ended up with were diamonds in the rough. The toiletry bag held a small first aid kit which fits rather neatly in my purse. The socks, (which Joey very kindly gave to me), are worn nightly by moi. Cozy and a little sparkle in one turquoise package.

True or False?

True or false:

1. Joey recently picked up a book at the library called Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory for "fun."
   
2. Owen says the word "again" like it is going out of style. It is used to solicit more kisses (more often then not wet ones), more wrestling or more sugary food.
3. I went to bed last night at 5 am and the might before at 4 am; Owen is one naughty boy in the middle of the night.
   
4. Owen loves playing on the playground or with friends except when it comes to good byes. His behavior at that time warrants time outs.
   
5. I am going on a week long cruise to the Caribbean in search of much needed R & R over spring break.
   

Answers: 1 - 4 are true. Sad to say. 5 is false. Also, sad to say. But, we will be going to Southern California very soon. Let's just hope this kid gives us more than three hours of sleep each night.

Big Brother Ben

Joey's older brother Ben turns 40 something today. He is the best brother a boy could ask for. At every family gathering, he is seen holding a child or on the floor reading to a group. He is filled with genuine love and kindness. We love you Ben - Happy Birthday!

Brother in law Trell with his brother Troy, the "dads", and brothers Joey and Ben
Don't you love how they are all color-coordinated? Not planned - it must be in their blood.