Humdinger of a Day

To all of you who have heard this story, I sincerely apologize. Please gloss over this blog entry and check back later to a more upbeat post.

Yesterday afternoon was a disaster. My mother and I had been running errands when the chaos began. We returned to our apartment and in attempts to coax Owen into the building, my mother handed Owen her car keys. She lured him into the elevator and we thought we had it made. I remember distinctly grabbing the keys as we stepped over the elevator thresh hold (to make sure Owen didn't drop them down the shaft). I let go of the keys once we were safely in the hallway. He bopped along and I ran ahead to unlock the door. That was the last we saw or heard from the keys.

My mom spent an hour in my apartment helping me hang picture frames and rearranging random decorative accents. Then I put Owen down for a nap. My mom got ready to leave, but to her dismay, could not find her keys anywhere. My mom loses a lot of things . . . a diamond necklace and her new cellphone in one week alone! We searched high and low. I personally picked through all the garbage cans in the house, dumped out every toy box, ran up and down the hallway and throughout the apartment building, called the heritage center desk repeatedly to see if anyone turned them in (another story entirely) and woke Owen up three times in the process. Finally, after 90 minutes of searching, I drove to my mom's house and got her spare keys. Two hours later, she was driving out of our parking lot with spilled Jamba Juice all over her, and without her keys.

To make the story even more exciting, my dad called and reminded me to check Owen's diaper because he is known for sticking odds and ends down his shirt or pants. I woke him up (again), undid his onesie and was filled with disappointment when all I found was a dry diaper. I fastened his diaper up again and dropped him back into his crib. Within minutes I heard his hand thumping the wall and I went in to see what was going on. There he was - diaper off, poop smeared all over his crib and a nice puddle of pee. The joys of parenthood!

Several good things came out of this day:
1. Dear friends who bought us a dozen corn bread muffins from Famous Dave's BBQ to try to lift my spirits. (Anyone who knows me, know that I looooooooove their cornbread! I actually go there for that reason alone. Everything else is just supplementary to the meal.)
2. Answered prayers. We found the keys - someone did hand them into the Heritage Center, it just took talking to the right person to find where they had placed them.
3. Good laughs after. I think disasters make great stories don't you?

Wanted

There are some things I desperately want. I am soliciting help from anyone who can help.

I want the following:

• To borrow an electric screwdriver or drill. I bought blackout blinds for Owen's bedroom (to encourage him to sleep past 7 am). I am having a nightmare installing them without an electric screwdriver.
  
• An HGTV do-it-yourselfer. I would like to stain my kitchen table an antique black, but don't have a clue where to get started. If any of you have an idea . . . please help me!

• The last want is a bit extravagant, and unlike the 0thers is not to be taken too seriously. While talking to a friend last night, we were both lamenting the fact that we haven't been shopping without our kids in over a year. What would it be like to meander through a store, browse items without worrying about your kid climbing onto a display, knocking over glasses or making a beeline for the front door. Ahhhh, one day. So the last want is simple, but probably the least likely to be fulfilled. I desperately want an afternoon to myself browsing and shopping without a wee one at my feet.

Big Baby

You know you are a baby when you cry because:

• Paula Deen's kids fly to Paris and surprise her on a roof top in Paula's European Vacation on the Food Network.
• The country song Mr. Mom comes on and you can relate.
• The contestants on Biggest Loser lose that last 10 lbs.
  
• The main character in the book I am reading is dumped by her best friend for a villain named Lulu. (How sad!)
  

Yes, I cried like a baby when these events happened this week. Weeping actually. If anyone ever needs a shoulder to cry on, you know who to call . . .

5 Years and Counting

Five years ago today, at 1:40pm, Joey and I held hands in the Salt Lake Temple. It was an emotional day, filled with nerves, excitement, and joy.

We have been through a lot over the past five years together: endured two and a half years of the University Village (cockroaches, floods and all), completed three degrees (collectively), and most notably brought our beautiful boy Owen into this world.

Joey is an incredible person who is marked by his integrity and authenticity. There are many reasons to love this guy, but I have composed a small list of some of the reasons I have been blessed by his presence in my life (some serious, some not so).

10 Reasons it's Good to Be Married to Joey

1. He has a quick mind and is incredible on the computer. Case in point: he has unofficially become the Shoreline Ridge Geek Squad. He is on call, round the clock for all your computer needs (please don't call round the clock!)

2. He is in great shape. With 4% body fat, this guy can run circles around the competition. Case in point: while running last week, he beat me, by at least 2 minutes, running up a 1/4 of a mile hill, pushing Owen, after a 2 mile run in 80 degree weather. Second case in point: he frequently get complimented on his agility and speed during his Ultimate Games and tournaments. His competitors either swear, shake their heads in disbelief or concede defeat at the end of the game. I am probably more fit because of him (or a little bit more tired).

3. He is tenacious. He is hard working, persevering and spunky. He has accomplished all he has set out to do and has created opportunities for himself that I would never have imagined. Case in point: M.S. in EE.

4. He has non-discriminating tastes. He never complains about the meals I make and is always appreciative of my efforts (maybe that is because he knows he is going to eat a Lynn Wilson burrito at 10 pm, but still . . . ). Case in point: I made Hamburger Helper with an extra serving of Hamburger at least every other night during my pregnancy and he rarely complained. Sorry honey.

5. He is great with kids. Newborns aren't his favorite, but the most tiresome toddlers thrill him. Case in point: at our most recent family gathering when most parents wanted a break from their children, Joey was in the backyard throwing Frisbees and wrestling with half a dozen kids. He was having as much fun as they were!

6. He loves an adventure. Joey's idea of fun is bushwacking through Little Cottonwood Canyon to find unclimbed boulders and enjoys camping in the bear infested forests of the Grand Teton National Park. Case in Point: we have spent every summer since we have been married making the trek to Wyoming. I have seen the beautiful views of both Wyoming and Idaho from the peeks of the Teton range because of him. (Owen gets his name from these mountains as well.)

7. He is supportive. Case in point: He has always supported me playing Ultimate (I wonder why?) and soccer. Joey encourages me playing Tennis every Wednesday night (even though that means less free time for himself). Joey understands that a happy wife makes a happy home . . .

8. He loves his family. He looooooooves his siblings, parents, neices and nephews and all the friends we consider our "family." We are both happier when we are in the presence of our family and friends. Joey would do anything for them too. Case in point: after some not so friendly or loyal comments made by Rocky Anderson (boo) about Jenny, Joey had some not so friendly comments to make about Rocky. Joey is strongly opinionated and passionate, but that also means he would fight to the finish for anyone he loves.

9. He's a good dad. Their similar energy levels makes them two peas in a pod. Joey can't sit still (unless it is at a computer) and neither can Owen (unless Little Einstein's is on). Case in point: he rushes home to give Owen a hug and loves teasing that little firecracker.

10. He loves me. I don't know why . . . there are more beautiful, talented, intelligent, humorous, charitable people in this world but he still sees the good in me that I don't always see in myself. Case in point: he married me five years ago today!

I love you Joe! Happy Anniversary!

Roller Coaster Revisted

This time however, the roller coaster we have been on is not an emotional one. Wahoo!

Over the weekend, Owen and I met my family in Park City to ride the Alpine Slide and to enjoy the new addition to the resort: the Alpine Coaster. You can check out all they have to offer at:
http://www.parkcitymountain.com/summer/activities/index.html

Although I will admit prices have gone up a bit since I was 5, the thrill is still there. I really enjoy the slide, but I always fly off. I go way too fast and have several scars to prove it. The slide either flips out from underneath me or it and I go flying off the track together. Skin meeting slide at 20 mph does not make a good combination. I always end up bloody or end up hitting prairie dogs. That said, if you are cautious it really is safe. Honest. But, if you are the racing type and have no concept of danger, you will get hurt. Guaranteed.

The new Alpine Coaster, on the other hand, is awesome. The sled you sit on is secured to the track (no risk of flying off) and you get going around 30 mph. Now that is my kind of ride.

Owen is still too young to ride the slide and coaster, so he enjoyed eating rocks and sneaking into the rides at the bottom. This kid actually squeezed through the fence to the Merrie-go-Round. Luckily, we grabbed him before he got pegged by a rotating horse. Here are some pictures from our adventures.

Katie and Sammie coming down the Coaster

Owen enjoying the fruits of his labor

Bad Blogger

I have been a bad blogger lately, which is more than hypocritical because I get irritated when all of my friends haven't updated their blogs. I check daily, and will not be shy in admitting blogs are one of the highlights of my day. I love knowing what people are up to and what their children are getting into.

That said, I have been a horrible blogger. I hereby commit to being more consistent in recording the daily happenings of our lives. Here's to a more successful summer!

Roller Coaster

We almost bought a house . . . emphasis on almost.

The past few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions to say the least. Starting in mid-April, we have been debating what the next few years should hold for our little family. I LOVE shoreline and voted to stay. Newly appointed Master Joey, was completing his degree and in many ways felt like it was time for a change. We couldn't come to a consensus. We were lost puppies . . . not staying, but no definitive place to go.

We contacted a Realtor and thought maybe owning a condo would be the route to go. We looked at dozens, but nothing felt "right." During this long process, Joey got some great job offers, a salary raise where he currently works and our prospects looked bright. Joe felt good about taking a year off from his PhD to find funding and a good advisor. Simultaneously, we were still speaking with the Realtor and lender and they both thought that with our current situation we could afford a lot more than what we were looking at.

So, we began the house hunt. One night, I was so excited about the properties we were seeing the next day, I lay awake until 5 am. Adrenaline. We saw several that were darling, but again, nothing felt right. There were two properties in particular that we had high hopes for, but were under contract by the time we were able to see them. Why weren't things working out?

A series of small, but significant events followed a particularly long and emotional day looking at houses. A push to make an offer on a house late Friday afternoon, a trip to the lender, a Saturday night Temple session . . .

Well, we aren't buying a house and don't plan on it any time soon. We are jumping feet first into Joey's PhD (with or without funding) and we are staying put. No house in the near future and no moving van either, but for the first time, we both think that is a good thing. We are in the school mode and are ready to see it through. I believe our prayers have finally been answered and our roller coaster has come to a much anticipated stop.