Time Best Spent

November 2011:

Kel- Maybe we should take the kids to Hawaii with us

Sar- Really?

Kel- I think it would be a blast!

Sar- It would, but.....what about laying on the beach all day reading......

Kel- They are growing up so fast, they are only young once, let's go enjoy them!

And ENJOY them we did! I never grew tired of watching them play together. I enjoyed beach time, hikes, sunrises, swimming and time with my parents and brother more than I ever thought I would. Kauai brought our family endless joy, Lizzy summed it up by commenting "Kauai is the coolest place I have ever been to in my life Mom". Way to call it Kel, you were right, again.

Summer Bucket List

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Summer Bucket List 2010:

1- Fight continually over who gets to hold Baby Drew, which then turns into a fight on who held him last, who holds him better and who loves him the very most.

2- Plan and Host our first annual Cousin Camp.

3- Begin construction on our Dream House.....Dream Playhouse that is.

4- Enjoy our beautiful Mountains up close and personal on a camping adventure (sans Mommy and Baby who were so sad to be left home...ha ha).

5- Completely fall in love with Drew Kelly.

6- Teach Max how to swing by himself, with just one big starting push (really, that's all I need),and then a few more, until he gets "really high".

7- Hit our local amusement park and introduce Lizzy to "big rides".

8- Night Swim in a pool all to ourselves.

9- Plan an over-the-top fun Primary Carnival.

10- Be photographed at our city's children's parade, wearing our favorite "dress me ups".

11- TRY to learn to be quiet when the baby is sleeping...still working on this one.

Happy Cheers

Each time we prepare to bring a new baby into our family, I go through a period of mourning. Not mourning because I'm sad to have a baby, but mourning because I'll miss my youngest being "my baby". Max has been my little one for 3 1/2 years now, the longest of any of our children. How I've enjoyed him. I've relished in the time we've shared together, just Max and Mommy. He has been my back-seat buddy, my entertainment while running errands, my snuggle pal for afternoon naps, my excuse to buy soft serve ice cream and drinks from McDonald's and my right hand man who helps me with my day to day jobs with his "strong muscles". He has made me love parenting a little boy, I appreciate so much more as I pause to see things from his perspective. I admit that I dote on my little Max, and have done so intentionally. Will it change with baby #4? Perhaps. It will no longer be Max and Mommy, Mommy and Max. We will have a new addition to our club, Max seems completely fine with the idea, excited really. I know this baby will add nothing but love into our home; but just for a moment I want to focus on what was. I want to pause, remember, and feel thankful for the few years of Max and me. May they live forever in my memory.........in the words of our third child...."HAPPY CHEERS" for Mommy and Max!

A Constant

One thing in my life has been certain:

I have always been blessed with wonderful friends.

As a child, those friends were three little brothers and a blond haired girl cousin named Romney. Luckily, those early relationships have matured into life long friendships.

In school, there were many friends at times and just a few at other times but, there were always fun times in those days! One friend stands out amongst the crowd of childhood playmates. The first to visit me during my 3 week stay in the hospital at age 11 (thats another post), the girl who passed notes from me to my 9th grade crush Ted, the one who got her driver's licenese first & with it came a CAR sophomore year, the first shoulder I cried on over a dumb high school boy, who's Mother felt like my Mother, the girl I introduced to her future husband, the one who watched me mature and fall in love with a boy named Kelly,.......the list goes on and on. Brenda is a friend who is more my Sister.

San Francisco's treat to us was forever friends. Some who were more than twice my age! Women who jumped in to be my Mother, turned out to be my closest friends, still. It was there that I met Phoebe. A beautiful, stylish pregnant girl in water aerobics. We became instant friends and I have loved her ever since. Time, Miles and Babies have not come between our friendship. I relish in her style, wisdom and humor and wish we lived closer. She has taught me in the ways of being a good friend.

Back in Salt Lake, I turned to friends to help see me through my days as a new mom/apartment manager/residents wife. There I met a pretty red-head, also pregnant. Beth's practicality and kindness became a life saver to me during hard times. Hearts were shared, and I appreciate her candour and advice still. She has watched me raise our 3 babies, and I her. She is a source of encouragement to me I can always count on. Happy Birthday Beth!

Now in present days, I am surrounded by wonderful friends who I have learned so much from. I feel blessed to be among them. They have selflessly gave of their time to me and have made me feel so loved here. As this post is getting lengthy, I will have to save my ramblings on this subject for another post.

Thursday I will be reunited with my Phoebs. She has not come to visit for 2 long years. We have much to talk about, shop for, beautify and laugh over. Time will fly by, I must make the most of it. So, with that, I sign off for a few days, fly under the radar so to speak, to enjoy one of my lives constants.....a close girlfriend!