Javeed

Dave. There are few people in the world I love more than him. He is one of my greatest friends and I'd like to think he thinks highly of me as well, I mean, I was after all his best man.

Yes, that is right, following the maid of honor, I spoke in behalf of my brother and raised a glass to his marriage. Today is his birthday, and I'd like to share part of what I shared on that special night:

First and foremost, I feel extremely grateful that two of my best friends in this world are my siblings. I have been blessed to grow up living with two great friends and love them both with all of my heart. As I looked through old photo albums, almost every picture of my brother and me was of the two of us dressed up - as policemen, construction workers, but more often than not princesses. One picture in particular is extremely humorous - Dave is wearing a shiny gray ball gown, pearls, blush, eyeliner and lip gloss. I had him posing for the camera like a true fashionista.

When I think about the things that have made Dave a great brother and friend, they are the very things that will make him a great husband. The first is that he knows how to make people laugh and smile. Four years ago, as Dave left on his mission to Serbia, I found myself in the gym, sobbing my guts out. I got a lot of strange looks. A trainer even brought me a towel. It was that bad. I ached knowing I wouldn't get pinned to the floor, tickled to death or harassed until I laughed until it hurt. No other person can make me laugh quicker than him. He senses stress, anxiety or sadness very quickly and will do everything in his power to make you laugh - even if that means he has to pin you down to do so. Laughter and happiness are two requisites in this lifetime; Dave does them well.

The other story I would like to share about David is that he is sensitive to the spirit and has a strong testimony. When I was expecting Owen, there were a few health issues that arose. Dave has always been protective of me and was now showing an amplified protection over his unborn nephew. I knew he wrote to my father often about his concern. I was continuously aware of his prayers and fasting in our behalf. As my baby was born after a scary night of labor, I felt deep gratitude for my brother. He and Owen have a special and deep bond and I know it is because of his continuous prayer and true faith in God. That same faith and testimony are the glue that holds marriage together. Dave will make a great husband, just as he has made a great brother and friend. Dave, I love you. You have found a woman who is a breath of fresh air. I love you both. Congratulations!

I don't know where I would be without this guy. I love him deeply. Happy Birthday stud!

Mr. Lightyear

Yep, Owen loves Toy Story. He found his Buzz Lightyear costume last week, which ended up being his choice of clothing for the day. He wore it all day long - grocery shopping, playing with cousins and even into the sprinklers. Nothing like a full body suit on a hot, humid day.

I love this picture. Owen insisted on watching Toy Story with his Woody doll and other Toy Story paraphernalia.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake

My brother got married on Tuesday. I made his groom's cake, which I was instructed to hide in the kitchen because he wanted to eat the whole thing himself. I indulged him, but just because it was his day. As everyone was leaving, we went into the kitchen and I cut him a huge piece of cake, which he devoured. I was instructed to hide it until he returned from his honeymoon. I threatened to eat his cake while he was gone.

Dave's response: "If you eat that cake - I'll give Owen a box of crayons and lock him in your house by himself next time I watch him."

Dad's reply: "Dave says you can eat it if you make new one. You're so lucky to have a brother like him!!!!!"

In addition to the above threat, I also received a message on my answering machine, which was in essence a five-minute "ode to Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake." If every client was as easy to please as him . . .

4th of July Extravaganza

Yes, you read that correctly - 4th of July not 24th. I am just getting to that holiday. Yesterday, as in the 24th, was much more calm, if you can say that in my household. I ran the Deseret News 10K, we played in the sprinklers and spent the night BBQ-ing with friends. I also made my Wii debut. Sight to be seen.

The 4th on the other hand . . .

Let's just say, the 4th of July was a three day-long par-tay. We started on the 3rd with the annual Scott family hike to Cecret Lake. The Albion Basin was closed due to high levels of snow, so it ended up being more of a scenic walk at Snowbird.

We ventured to This is the Place Heritage Park early on the 4th. Lots of fun (and lots of work chasing Owen around that place).

We BBQ'd at my sister's house and then watched what her husband has dubbed "The Street of Fire."

Saturday we returned to Snowbird where we swam at the Cliff and enjoyed dinner sans children thanks to a nanny and had a great meal at a Mexican restaurant.

We had fun. Both holidays.

Scott family "hike" at Snowbird.

This is the Place, putting out fires.

As you can tell from the picture, I spent most of the time dodging poop. Each horse took their turn while I was out there.

Sammie was quite concerned about approaching animals and Owen was more interested in wood chips, rocks and the stream.

Owen squeezed this little guy on the bum. Lucky he didn't get kicked.

Oh, the trains . . . the highlight for Owen. He had a meltdown when he had to get off the little one.

Matt, the mastermind behind the "The Street of Fire."

Disneilio

This is how I will forever picture Tanner:


He is one of the most nurturing, loving, and fun people I know. As a mother, I have appreciated how he has loved, taken care of and laughed at my Owen.

Clearly, it is in his nature. His family recently "adopted" a refugee family, to guide and mentor. His mother said regarding the experience, "One of my proudest Mom moments with Tanner was watching him carry the one year old out of the International Peace Garden after she fell asleep in his arms. He spoke today in church and as he told about her, he wept. He remarked about how much he loved her after knowing her for only one day. This was an amazing experience for all of us, but more than that, we feel like we have adopted a family to mentor."

Tanner has shown the same warmth and compassion to all of us. You make us proud! Happy Birthday!

It

Ten Years Ago: I was living at Solitude. I was 16. I was getting ready for soccer 2-a-days. Life was good.

Five things on today's "to do" list:

1. Finish preparing primary lesson and other church responsibilities.
   
2. Complete menu for the next two weeks and prepare grocery list.
   
3. Pick up piano books for my students.
   
4. Find Owen's shoes that mysteriously disappeared in my absence last night.
   
5. Write on my blog!
   

Snacks I enjoy: I'll be honest. There are not a lot of "snacks" that I really crave. I like bananas, watermelon, berries, granola bars . . . but desserts, on the other hand - now we're talking. Milkshakes, mud pie, Oreo's, strawberry cream pie, Rocky Mountain Caramel Apples . . . the list could really go on and on. I'm not one to turn down chocolate, Swedish fish or other sweet treats.

Things I would do if I was a millionaire: Finally start that business I've dreamed of and not worry about it failing. Invest $ in the business Joey has already started building and all the charities he has already dreamed of donating to. Buy a house with a yard for Owen to run his little legs tired. Finally get Joey back to Brazil.

Places I have lived: I am pretty boring. I have lived in three houses, all within a one mile radius of each other. I spent the first two years of college in Provo and since then have made a habit of living in Student Housing, which consequently is still less than a mile from where I grew up.

There was however, one summer we were nomads. My parents sold their house and had not found a new one to purchase, so we house-hopped, staying at friends' houses, cabins, beach houses, until they found a house they liked. First we spent a month in Solitude, then to Newport, back to SLC at a hotel, and then we set up shop in an apartment until they found and renovated the house they live in now. That was an experience.

No Like It

Last night, I had an appointment and therefore was not at home. Joey and Owen were playmates for the night. When they returned from the playground to an empty house, Owen was clearly disappointed:

Owen: Mommy?
Joey: No, mommy's not home bud.
Owen: (starting to cry) No like it!

I'm glad he misses me. Sad, but true. I love that kid.

Meet Machew

Machew is an incredibly talented young man. He will give you a run for your money on the slopes or on the court. He is a good cousin to Owen - always watching out for him and giving him toys. So thoughtful and smart. We're lucky to have him in our family. Happy Birthday Matthew!

Soaring

It has been far too long since I've blogged. We have had a full and fun summer in the Wilson household. Plain and simple. I will be sad when it is over. I promise to post some of the events of the past month, but until then, I'd like to share a thought from a woman I deeply admire.

Sister Elaine Cannon, a family friend and former General Young Women President said, "There are two important days in a woman's (person's) life: The day she is born and the day she finds out why." Love that. We were each sent with some incredible personal mission. The "why" of what we are doing here.

When I think about my friends and family members, I marvel at how vastly different, and yet how incredibly talented they are all. They were born with a purpose. I feel lucky to rub shoulders with so many incredible people and I am hoping that some of their goodness will rub off on me.

Sweet and Spicy Pasta Sauce

I love this recipe given to me by Joey's sister Missy. It makes a huge amount of sauce, perfect for sharing with friends and for bottling. Love it, love it. I wanted to post it and was reminded today that I should.

1 lb. maple sausage (I use maple breakfast links pushed out of their casings)
1 lb. ground spicy sausage
4 cans Italian tomatoes (15 oz. size)
2 cans tomato paste
2 cans tomato sauce
2 tsp. minced garlic (or two cloves)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

Brown the sausage in a large pan. Blend sausage, tomatoes, paste and sauce in a blender (I do it in two batches) until you reach the desired thickness (pretty weird throwing meat in a blender, but it makes a great sauce). Return meat and sauce to a large pot over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. Serve immediately or put in containers to freeze or take to friends. Enjoy!

2nd Honeymoon

We will forever remember our anniversary this year as our 2nd Honeymoon. Romantic, fun, and the most in love we have been in a long time. Time spent away, just the two or us.

The journey begins on our hike to Red Pine Lake.

The mountain was still thoroughly covered with snow and the lake was still frozen as you can see below. It was grueling hiking up, but a lot of fun "skiing" down.

What can beat ending dinner with mud pie?

Happy 6th to us!