Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
ocho
Over the last 8 years together we...
...got MARRIED!
...lived in a 130 year-old house
...drove The Monty to San Diego WITHOUT air conditioning
...learned me how to fly-fish
...graduated me from BYU
...tried to learn me how to mountain bike
...worked on campus, lived on grant money, and ate ramen for dinner
...bought our first digital camera
...started my first real job as a teacher
...still ate ramen for dinner
...built your first fishing rod
...bought a George Foreman Grill
...cooked lots of chicken
...graduated you from BYU
...moved to Salt Lake City
...went backpacking in the Uintas
...started you in grad school at the UofU
...went to both my parents' weddings
...lived in student housing
...put nails into cinder block walls
...bought a car
...went for lots of drives
...bought your first digital SLR
...had a baby boy!
...almost lost a baby boy
...brought him back
...moved again
...still in student housing
...ate Thai food
...published your research in scientific journals
...went camping with one kid
...went hiking with one kid (a lot)
...gave away THE MONTY
...bought a truck
...hiked Timp
...bought a mini-van
...gained 60 pounds (that was me)
...had TWO baby boys!!
...got a PhD!!!
...went camping with THREE kids
...moved across the country
...started your first job as a post-doc
...went hiking with three kids
...got MARRIED!
...lived in a 130 year-old house
...drove The Monty to San Diego WITHOUT air conditioning
...learned me how to fly-fish
...graduated me from BYU
...tried to learn me how to mountain bike
...worked on campus, lived on grant money, and ate ramen for dinner
...bought our first digital camera
...started my first real job as a teacher
...still ate ramen for dinner
...built your first fishing rod
...bought a George Foreman Grill
...cooked lots of chicken
...graduated you from BYU
...moved to Salt Lake City
...went backpacking in the Uintas
...started you in grad school at the UofU
...went to both my parents' weddings
...lived in student housing
...put nails into cinder block walls
...bought a car
...went for lots of drives
...bought your first digital SLR
...had a baby boy!
...almost lost a baby boy
...brought him back
...moved again
...still in student housing
...ate Thai food
...published your research in scientific journals
...went camping with one kid
...went hiking with one kid (a lot)
...gave away THE MONTY
...bought a truck
...hiked Timp
...bought a mini-van
...gained 60 pounds (that was me)
...had TWO baby boys!!
...got a PhD!!!
...went camping with THREE kids
...moved across the country
...started your first job as a post-doc
...went hiking with three kids
Happy Anniversary!
I hope to add a whole lot more to the list with you.
I hope to add a whole lot more to the list with you.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
in the car on the way home
Pete (from the backseat) : Mom, I need to brush my teeth!
Mom (sitting up front): What Pete?
Pete (a little louder from the backseat) : Mom, I really need to brush my teeth!
Mom (turning around a bit) : Oh, okay. Why do you need to brush your teeth?
Pete: Cuz I ate A LOT of boogers!
Mom (sitting up front): What Pete?
Pete (a little louder from the backseat) : Mom, I really need to brush my teeth!
Mom (turning around a bit) : Oh, okay. Why do you need to brush your teeth?
Pete: Cuz I ate A LOT of boogers!
Friday, April 18, 2008
update, 14 months
Jack and Ben are officially 14 months old (as of April 10) and it seems they are no longer my little baby boys! They are walking, playing, and beginning to talk! Over the last few months they have learned so much.
Jack is still wearing his orthotic helmet. He will likely be wearing it for a while longer. I think he's absolutely perfect and have a hard time with this conclusion. Especially considering that I went into the appointment anticipating the doctor to say that we were done and could take it off for good! His exact words were, "We still have a long way to go." Argh.
His finger is also healing well and, to our great relief, the nail is growing back! He's a very happy kid and enjoys laughing and rough-housing with his brothers. They'll often tackle each other and roll around hysterically! It's a funny sight to see. Even Pete joins in the fun when he can coerce them into tackling him too.
Jack has been walking like a pro for a while now. The latest development is his love for balls! He'll play with them, throw them, roll them, hand them to others, but especially loves to dribble them around the house. He's well on his way to becoming a soccer star! It's no surprise that, when his first word came in the last few weeks, it was "ball." He also says "ma ma" and "da da."
Ben has had fewer major accidents, but always seems to have a bruise on his head from one of his many falls. He's a very proficient walker, but I'm surprised if he doesn't bump his head on a table, chair, wall, floor or appliance at least 3 times a day. He also loves to rough-house and is a good cuddler. He likes to read books and will sometimes sit and "read" for several minutes until I notice how quiet he is. He'll also volunteer to sit on my lap by backing up on to me and plopping himself on my leg for a story. He loves balls too and says "ball," "ma ma," and "da da."
Ben is a very happy guy and seems to enjoy an adventure. Recently, he successfully attempted to climb the "big kid" play structure at the park, making it all the way up the steps, over the two bridges and down the big twisty slide ALL BY HIMSELF. I watched from below and was amazed to see him doing it over and over again. He usually sits and watches the big kids, but it seems he finally decided to try it himself!
We are blessed to have these two boys in our family!
Jack is still wearing his orthotic helmet. He will likely be wearing it for a while longer. I think he's absolutely perfect and have a hard time with this conclusion. Especially considering that I went into the appointment anticipating the doctor to say that we were done and could take it off for good! His exact words were, "We still have a long way to go." Argh.
His finger is also healing well and, to our great relief, the nail is growing back! He's a very happy kid and enjoys laughing and rough-housing with his brothers. They'll often tackle each other and roll around hysterically! It's a funny sight to see. Even Pete joins in the fun when he can coerce them into tackling him too.
Jack has been walking like a pro for a while now. The latest development is his love for balls! He'll play with them, throw them, roll them, hand them to others, but especially loves to dribble them around the house. He's well on his way to becoming a soccer star! It's no surprise that, when his first word came in the last few weeks, it was "ball." He also says "ma ma" and "da da."
Ben has had fewer major accidents, but always seems to have a bruise on his head from one of his many falls. He's a very proficient walker, but I'm surprised if he doesn't bump his head on a table, chair, wall, floor or appliance at least 3 times a day. He also loves to rough-house and is a good cuddler. He likes to read books and will sometimes sit and "read" for several minutes until I notice how quiet he is. He'll also volunteer to sit on my lap by backing up on to me and plopping himself on my leg for a story. He loves balls too and says "ball," "ma ma," and "da da."
Ben is a very happy guy and seems to enjoy an adventure. Recently, he successfully attempted to climb the "big kid" play structure at the park, making it all the way up the steps, over the two bridges and down the big twisty slide ALL BY HIMSELF. I watched from below and was amazed to see him doing it over and over again. He usually sits and watches the big kids, but it seems he finally decided to try it himself!
We are blessed to have these two boys in our family!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
flashback friday, proposal
Read about how we met here.
Read about our first date(s) here.
I think he and the cousin did go out a few times after she got back, but in the end, it didn't really matter. I was the one who got a proposal!
Over the next few months we spent more and more time together (and I neglected my studies a little too much during that time). I knew pretty quickly that I could marry Wade. I figured we were heading that way or else that he could break my heart (as already established in the previous flashback friday). The subject of marriage came up at one point and freaked him out a bit. When he came to terms with the idea and seemed really serious about it, it was my turn to freak out. I can only tell you what I was thinking at the time. I wanted to be sure that I was making the right decision and I just wanted God to tell me "Yes, he's the right guy- Marry him!" Well, if you know anything about the big man upstairs, you know he doesn't work that way. I prayed a lot and didn't want to commit until I got a thunderbolt of lightning from above (which never happened by the way). I finally realized that my answer was, "Do what you want to do. I trust you, you will be happy with him if you want to be." I think He knew I would be happy only if I chose for myself, which I did and have never regretted! We finally arrived on the same page and looked at rings together in November 1999. He came home with me to Fallon, NV for Thanksgiving with an engagement ring in tow.
It's no surprise that this was Wade's first time to the bustling metropolis of Fallon, NV. In fact he had never heard of the place before we met (how could this be?). I showed him all the wonderful places about Fallon, like the McDonald's parking lot (where all the cool kids still hang out), sand mountain (literally a mountain of sand), Maine Street of Downtown Fallon, and of course Wal-Mart! Yes, Fallon has a Wal-Mart. Where did we shop before Wal-Mart came to town? Anyway, I think I clinched the deal after he saw Wal-Mart and he decided to go through with it.
He asked my mom if he could borrow her car so that we could drive to the new Reno Temple site (it was just beginning construction at the time), where he planned to propose. My mom suggested that he, instead, rent a tux, buy some roses, knock on our front door when all the family was sitting down for dinner and then propose in front of everyone. Thank goodness he didn't do that! He did it in true Wade fashion- low key!
I remember thinking something was up, but not really knowing anything for sure. I wanted to see the temple site, so we made a plan to go that night after dinner. After some drama with getting a car to drive, we managed to make it to the site. It was a small area for a mini-temple and was completely gated. I don't think they had anything but a trailer on the site, but the view from the hill above the city was beautiful and we walked on the sidewalk around the homes nearby. When he finally went down on one knee and asked me in the grass across the street from the site, I didn't even hear what he said, but I knew how to answer. Yes!!
Engagement Photo taken February 2000.
We planned our wedding for April 21, 2000 in the Jordan River Temple. The engagement was a pretty rough 5 months, and I neglected my studies even more that semester. Wade had a final on Thursday the 20th, and we were married on Friday April 21! We went on our honeymoon at the Homestead Resort in Heber City, UT and were back for Wade to attend Spring term classes on Tuesday!
Read about our first date(s) here.
I think he and the cousin did go out a few times after she got back, but in the end, it didn't really matter. I was the one who got a proposal!
Over the next few months we spent more and more time together (and I neglected my studies a little too much during that time). I knew pretty quickly that I could marry Wade. I figured we were heading that way or else that he could break my heart (as already established in the previous flashback friday). The subject of marriage came up at one point and freaked him out a bit. When he came to terms with the idea and seemed really serious about it, it was my turn to freak out. I can only tell you what I was thinking at the time. I wanted to be sure that I was making the right decision and I just wanted God to tell me "Yes, he's the right guy- Marry him!" Well, if you know anything about the big man upstairs, you know he doesn't work that way. I prayed a lot and didn't want to commit until I got a thunderbolt of lightning from above (which never happened by the way). I finally realized that my answer was, "Do what you want to do. I trust you, you will be happy with him if you want to be." I think He knew I would be happy only if I chose for myself, which I did and have never regretted! We finally arrived on the same page and looked at rings together in November 1999. He came home with me to Fallon, NV for Thanksgiving with an engagement ring in tow.
It's no surprise that this was Wade's first time to the bustling metropolis of Fallon, NV. In fact he had never heard of the place before we met (how could this be?). I showed him all the wonderful places about Fallon, like the McDonald's parking lot (where all the cool kids still hang out), sand mountain (literally a mountain of sand), Maine Street of Downtown Fallon, and of course Wal-Mart! Yes, Fallon has a Wal-Mart. Where did we shop before Wal-Mart came to town? Anyway, I think I clinched the deal after he saw Wal-Mart and he decided to go through with it.
He asked my mom if he could borrow her car so that we could drive to the new Reno Temple site (it was just beginning construction at the time), where he planned to propose. My mom suggested that he, instead, rent a tux, buy some roses, knock on our front door when all the family was sitting down for dinner and then propose in front of everyone. Thank goodness he didn't do that! He did it in true Wade fashion- low key!
I remember thinking something was up, but not really knowing anything for sure. I wanted to see the temple site, so we made a plan to go that night after dinner. After some drama with getting a car to drive, we managed to make it to the site. It was a small area for a mini-temple and was completely gated. I don't think they had anything but a trailer on the site, but the view from the hill above the city was beautiful and we walked on the sidewalk around the homes nearby. When he finally went down on one knee and asked me in the grass across the street from the site, I didn't even hear what he said, but I knew how to answer. Yes!!
Engagement Photo taken February 2000.We planned our wedding for April 21, 2000 in the Jordan River Temple. The engagement was a pretty rough 5 months, and I neglected my studies even more that semester. Wade had a final on Thursday the 20th, and we were married on Friday April 21! We went on our honeymoon at the Homestead Resort in Heber City, UT and were back for Wade to attend Spring term classes on Tuesday!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
cumberland river trail
Last weekend we took a family walk on the Cumberland River Trail. It was beautiful, as you can see from the photos below, but the scenery still doesn't hold a candle to the handsome boys enjoying it!
Ben, Pete, & Jack
We found this gazebo in a lovely little garden along the trail. Perfect for a family photo!
Here's a photo of a shooting star. We saw so many beautiful flowers along the trail.
I've also added more photos in the links to the right under "cumberland river trail" and "march 2008" (finally some photos of our Smoky Mtn. trip!)
Ben, Pete, & Jack
We found this gazebo in a lovely little garden along the trail. Perfect for a family photo!
Here's a photo of a shooting star. We saw so many beautiful flowers along the trail.I've also added more photos in the links to the right under "cumberland river trail" and "march 2008" (finally some photos of our Smoky Mtn. trip!)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
comfort toothbrush?
These boys LOVE their toothbrushes. They will cry as soon as they see them and have a break-down when I take them away! They don't have binkies or blankies, so maybe their comfort item is their toothbrush?!flashback friday, our first date(s)
Read about how we met, here.
After the evening in Provo Canyon, I was intrigued and wanted to spend more time with Wade, so when my friends started planning a camping trip up Spanish Fork Canyon, I jumped at the chance to invite Wade along.
I tried to get up the nerve to call him and invite him, but before I could do it, he called me! It was the first time I remember being really nervous talking to him. We chatted a bit and I mentioned that we were going camping and maybe he'd like to come along. He said he'd go camping with me and my friends if I went on a date with him the next weekend! I found out later that he had called me to ask me out, but I beat him to it!
I don't know if you can call it an official first date, but we did end up camping in Spanish Fork Canyon. The drive up there was what I remember the most. We carpooled with a friend and Wade & I sat next to each other and flirted the whole time. We also cuddled and sang to Monster Ballads. We spent one night up the canyon and the two of us went for a walk, then he slept out under the stars with some other guys while I shared a tent with the girls. As I mentioned there were other people, but I don't remember much about who or what we did with them. It was some of the first time I spent with him completely absorbed in him.
What I consider our first real date was the following weekend, it must have been sometime in July or August of 1999. We doubled with his roommate and went up Provo Canyon to a campground. He and his roommate had planned dinner for us. They cooked chicken, potatoes, and corn on the cob over the grill on the campfire. It was delicious food and I especially enjoyed the company. Wade and I went for a walk and held hands (the first time you hold hands with a guy is seriously thrilling). After that, we spent a lot of time together. We went to see "Star Wars," and he taught me how to fly-fish. We went on lots of walks and did some hiking. Our favorite place to walk was just around our apartment complex up to the Seven Peaks golf course. It was quiet and pretty and we could be alone (which was hard to find in a singles apartment complex in Provo). That's where we kissed for the first time (he kissed me, breaking his own rule never to kiss a girl first). We often cooked dinner at each other's apartments and he even helped me move (to another apartment in the same complex).
Things were going just swimmingly until the Fall semester approached and Kristen returned from her family vacation where she had seen her cousin (the one who dated Wade before she left for the summer) and told her all about Wade and I. When Kristen came back to the apartments, she told me and Wade a story about how her cousin had been trying to call Wade during the trip. Of course, I started to get a little nervous. Why did she want to talk to him? Wade, Kristen and I all went back to Wade's apartment and as soon as we walked in the door, his roommate held up the phone and said, "Wade, the phone's for you!"
Kristen and I sat outside on the grass going over every possibility of what Wade could be saying to her cousin. As I was waiting and talking with Kristen, I realized at that moment that Wade could break my heart. I hadn't ever felt that way about someone before and I didn't like being in that position. I felt sick at the idea that we wouldn't be together and I hoped he was telling this other girl that he felt the same way about me!
When Wade finally came outside, Kristen and I were waiting. I wanted to ask him what she had said and what he had said and know all the details, but I knew I shouldn't ask. That's when Kristen said, "Let's take a walk." So the three of us took a walk, while Kristen drilled him about his conversation with her cousin, and I listened intently. He was very diplomatic and gave answers that made me feel a little better. He said things like, "I told her not to worry, and that everything would be fine." "I told her I'm not interested in anything serious, but that we can still be friends." (All of this was true, but I later learned that he also assured her that they could still go out and do things together. He was keeping his options open.) It was an awkward walk, probably more so for Wade, not wanting to give out too much information about the phone conversation, but also wanting to assure me that he still wanted to date me.
The conversation during the walk left me feeling somewhat relieved, but also apprehensive about what was going to happen between Wade and I. Only time would tell.
to be continued...
After the evening in Provo Canyon, I was intrigued and wanted to spend more time with Wade, so when my friends started planning a camping trip up Spanish Fork Canyon, I jumped at the chance to invite Wade along.
I tried to get up the nerve to call him and invite him, but before I could do it, he called me! It was the first time I remember being really nervous talking to him. We chatted a bit and I mentioned that we were going camping and maybe he'd like to come along. He said he'd go camping with me and my friends if I went on a date with him the next weekend! I found out later that he had called me to ask me out, but I beat him to it!
I don't know if you can call it an official first date, but we did end up camping in Spanish Fork Canyon. The drive up there was what I remember the most. We carpooled with a friend and Wade & I sat next to each other and flirted the whole time. We also cuddled and sang to Monster Ballads. We spent one night up the canyon and the two of us went for a walk, then he slept out under the stars with some other guys while I shared a tent with the girls. As I mentioned there were other people, but I don't remember much about who or what we did with them. It was some of the first time I spent with him completely absorbed in him.
What I consider our first real date was the following weekend, it must have been sometime in July or August of 1999. We doubled with his roommate and went up Provo Canyon to a campground. He and his roommate had planned dinner for us. They cooked chicken, potatoes, and corn on the cob over the grill on the campfire. It was delicious food and I especially enjoyed the company. Wade and I went for a walk and held hands (the first time you hold hands with a guy is seriously thrilling). After that, we spent a lot of time together. We went to see "Star Wars," and he taught me how to fly-fish. We went on lots of walks and did some hiking. Our favorite place to walk was just around our apartment complex up to the Seven Peaks golf course. It was quiet and pretty and we could be alone (which was hard to find in a singles apartment complex in Provo). That's where we kissed for the first time (he kissed me, breaking his own rule never to kiss a girl first). We often cooked dinner at each other's apartments and he even helped me move (to another apartment in the same complex).
Things were going just swimmingly until the Fall semester approached and Kristen returned from her family vacation where she had seen her cousin (the one who dated Wade before she left for the summer) and told her all about Wade and I. When Kristen came back to the apartments, she told me and Wade a story about how her cousin had been trying to call Wade during the trip. Of course, I started to get a little nervous. Why did she want to talk to him? Wade, Kristen and I all went back to Wade's apartment and as soon as we walked in the door, his roommate held up the phone and said, "Wade, the phone's for you!"
Kristen and I sat outside on the grass going over every possibility of what Wade could be saying to her cousin. As I was waiting and talking with Kristen, I realized at that moment that Wade could break my heart. I hadn't ever felt that way about someone before and I didn't like being in that position. I felt sick at the idea that we wouldn't be together and I hoped he was telling this other girl that he felt the same way about me!
When Wade finally came outside, Kristen and I were waiting. I wanted to ask him what she had said and what he had said and know all the details, but I knew I shouldn't ask. That's when Kristen said, "Let's take a walk." So the three of us took a walk, while Kristen drilled him about his conversation with her cousin, and I listened intently. He was very diplomatic and gave answers that made me feel a little better. He said things like, "I told her not to worry, and that everything would be fine." "I told her I'm not interested in anything serious, but that we can still be friends." (All of this was true, but I later learned that he also assured her that they could still go out and do things together. He was keeping his options open.) It was an awkward walk, probably more so for Wade, not wanting to give out too much information about the phone conversation, but also wanting to assure me that he still wanted to date me.
The conversation during the walk left me feeling somewhat relieved, but also apprehensive about what was going to happen between Wade and I. Only time would tell.
to be continued...
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
sunday hike
Here are a few shots from a hike that Wade and Pete did before conference on Sunday.
The tough guy himself during the hike.
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