MARCH

Hola. I have been fairly swamped lately so I haven't updated anything or checked on you either. I'm sorry. But we are alive and well and I am going to check up with you too!

Lately I have been reflecting on how blessed I am to be alive and have the talents, opportunities, and people that I have been given in my life. I have been so blessed. I know that this is the bright side after the winter slump, and I am so grateful for the bright side. Life is a beautiful gift. Most of what makes it beautiful is what we do for others; our husbands, kids, friends, family, students, people in our ward, those we just barely met. I think making life easier, lighter, and happier for others is what brings about true joy.

As a quick update: Cache is eating "real" food like a fiend and he just loves big boy toys. He got a dump truck named Chuck for Christmas that he likes a lot. He also likes other big boy toys. This includes anything that babies should not play with, such as forks, paper, spatulas, soap, mom's homework/books, and bowls of food that are hot. He screams and chats and giggles up a storm. He loves music and does this funky body worm move when he hears it. We laugh so hard. Cache is such a light. He plays happily with other people and he loves exploring new things (places, objects, and especially books). I am in love with this little bubby.


We were able to go to my brothers' soccer matches (in sunny Saint George) a few months ago, which was a lot of fun. Wes got some golfing in. I'll show you his fancy outfit (and Cache has one to match!). We also have had my aunt, uncle, and cousins in town which is a highlight I always look forward to. All rules go out the window as far as bedtimes, regular meals, and planned appointments. We just play with each other and spend every minute we can enjoying memories and making new ones. I love family.

In this picture we are playing the "Celebrity Game" which requires a great memory, lots of teamwork, and mucho movement. We got a kick out of it.


Anyway...there's a brief catch up. Only 43 more days of school (praise praise praise!). Ciao.

Winter Slump

Sorry everyone...but I have officially hit my winter slump. This is the point of EVERY year when I dread the long yucky weather and the depressing drag of life. I get caught up in my to-do list instead of living, and I often find myself in tears, despite the fact that I am not a crier. I hit it last week and I couldn't pull myself out of it.

BUT! I am on the up and up I think (and I hope everyone else who is feeling this way is too!). I can see sunshine through my window and this week has been less stressful and more enjoyable. I have been able to talk to my hubby, play at Ikea, SMOOCH AND LOVE my bubby and get my house cleaner than it has been in weeks. Those things, coupled with the fact that I am a daughter of God have brought me full circle and I can say that I am kicking that winter slump good bye.

I need to say it more, but I am so grateful for all of you. Dear friends who support and love us, and then are there to grow and laugh with. I cherish our times together. I feel deeply grateful for my cousins and other relatives that support and love us too. I am so blessed and I love you. I need to do better at expressing that love, and as President Monson says, "Don't let your problems to be solved overtake a person to be loved." I am so thankful for eternal relationships and the promises we have if we will just be faithful and remember that relationships are the most important thing in this world (and the one beyond). Love you!

Up to? Up to?

For you Disney fans out there, you'll recognize my quote from my favorite Disney movie Sleeping Beauty. I want to be her when I get big. I have been on a Disney streak lately, wishing passionately for Disneyland and the joys it brings. But, since we have been here in Utah, here is what we've been up to.

Wes is still helping the young men in his calling and being an amazing Daddy. He gave a good lesson last night at family night on serving one another and remembering to "do the little things that make a big difference." Then he proceeded to unload and load the dishwasher, put Cache to bed, and help with other things around the house. He really made a big difference by doing those little things. I am so grateful for him and I am so lucky that he is my hubby FOREVER!

Cache is growing soooo big! He is tall and able to sit up in his bumbo. He eats some veggies and other baby foods though he really gags on some flavors (like green beans!). He laughs out loud which is soooo cute and he talks and talks and talks (I wonder where he gets that from?!). He has found his voice and will scream/sing along to any music on the radio, tv show, or general noise. He is the light of our lives and we love him so much. Cache is always getting snuggled, kissed, and tickled.

I am just plugging away at school. I have a student teacher which is nice because then I have more time to study for my tests and do my homework, which usually take a lot of time at home. I am able to get more done when I have a little slave at school. <3 I am still in young women and I love it. I am attempting to work out more consistently, though I can't lie, I like to sleep more than I like to get my buns in gear. Oh well.

So what have YOU been up to?

Belly...

Hey all.

I need some help. I am just four pounds away from my pre-Cache weight and I am super excited about that. But...my belly is still disgusting. I don't want anyone to vomit, so I will spare details, but it is just a lump of lard that I cannot tame! I cannot figure out how to look like everyone else who had a baby and manages a nice firm body. So, I am trying to ellicit some workouts/suggestions/ideas from you all on ways to get that toned look again. Be brutal and honest. (Please don't suggest a triatholon, Melissa. I just don't want to do that!)

I don't know if I'll have the time or will-power to try them, but it'd be nice to have them in my tool-belt (a tool-belt that fits a nice toned tummy!). Loveage!

Do you want to laugh?

OK....so a few months ago, my student government started a fundraiser for the Make A Wish foundation. I am really attached to this organization and I believe strongly in it, but that story is for another entry. I was super excited because our junior high raised over $2000 which is an amazing amount of money!!

One of the incentives for raising money was a "Dare" assembly. I might have blogged a little about this earlier--but for certain amounts of money, people had to do different things. We had things like: eat a cow's tongue, shave your head, sumo fight in a fat suit, jump into a pool of pudding, etc. My friends Paige and Britney agreed to do a dance with me if the kids earned $800. Guess what the song was?

Yep...that's right.... All the Single Ladies by Beyonce. And of course, they raised enough...so we had to shake it for the whole school. One of my awesome students from student government, Alex, is a cheerleader, and she made up the dance for us because the actual one is not appropriate for young (or old) eyes. :)

I guess some brave student took out her phone and video-taped us while we were dancing! So if you want to laugh...check us out on YouTube. It's a side view...but you get the general humiliation. Xoxox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8FjPsopf94

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!

I sure hope this year doesn't go as fast as 2009. I swear I just barely celebrated Christmas and New Years for that year. I was really sad that the break went so quickly, but it was sure fun. Wes, Cache, and I went to Saint George over New Years with our good friends: the Brinkerhoffs and the Condies.

We had a great time while the boys golfed, because we ladies (and babies) were able to just chat, eat good food, and do a little shopping. The babies were fun to play with for two days too! (I didn't have to drop Cache off--I could see him all day!) While Wes tuckered out at 8:00 pm on New Years, he still woke up at midnight to smooch me and then fell right back to sleep. The rest of us played games and enjoyed the hot tub while the New Year came in. Thank again Condies and Brinkerhoffs! We love ya.