Laaaaaaanded It!

Last weekend was the last Saturday that they were running the water-skiing program so I had to make sure that the kids could come up with me. I convinced Trevor that he would much rather come boating than go golfing :) and I'm so glad that he did! It was so fun for the kids since this was the first time that they had been on a boat. (they've been on one before back when we owned a boat but they were way too young to remember) They were so curious about how I was possibly going to get on the boat and then get in the water. Especially Kindra..."I'm so nervous for you Mom!" :)
The best part was listening to the video and to what they were saying as I was out there. It was hilarious and you can kind of hear it on the videos. TOO FUNNY!!!





O K so I lied...the best part of the day was when I did exactly what I wanted to go out there and do. To cut outside of the wake, hang out, and then make it back in without crashing. I DID IT!!! I was ecstatic and I felt invincible! It was the best feeling ever! I know that it doesn't look that hard on the video, but when you are out there...it's tough, choppy, scary, exciting, and a total rush...one that's impossible to explain! I am so excited for Lake Powell now that I know that I can do it :)

Lyssa...THIS Is What You're REALLY Missing!?!

Yep. That's my family. Analyzing the tree and the best way that they should cut it down. I was laughing so hard as I was watching this because this seems to be a common activity in our family. Thinking of how to do it the best way which usually ends up being the longest most time consuming way! Honestly...Lyssa are you really missing out??? The WORK is beginning to definitely out way the FUN! (except in a moment like this when all I can do is shake my head because I realize just how idiotic my family looks!}

...too lazy to climb up there and cut it---lets just pull it!?!
...son of a #!*@*...

...finally giving in, climbing up there with a chain saw and just cutting it down! FINALLY!!!

Unlike the adults, my kids have loved these projects. Carter has pulled up sooooo many branches using the wheelbarrow and Kindra has cleaned up so much garbage out of the forest. I have been amazed at their energy!

Jenny's wedding has certainly brought out quite the "forest thinning and the chain saw usage". We have two sides in our family. One that loves the thick forest and one that loves thinning it out. It is funny to hear us argue. The best argument is about the "child" who will "actually" be inheriting this yard and the "child" who "actually" deserves it. Don't even get me started! It gives me an anxiety and if you heard some of the reasons that some are using to prove why or why not a certain person should or should not obtain it...you would die! When I think about it, my blood boils!

The other day while my Mom and I were at Anthropologie, she saw something that gave her a possible artistic and gorgeous table setting idea. She put me to work which I was all too happy to do. As dumb as this is, not being able to chop, pull, climb, etc is killing me! Quote from my Mom..."How ironic is it that my only child who really loves to do this stuff, who is the hardest worker, and who would do whatever I asked her to do...is in the wheelchair!?! I know that this is so hard for you!" Yep. It is but I can be there for moral support, right?!?

So Lyssa...I'll ask you again. Are you really missing out??? Just think. You'll get here right at the perfect time for the fun, for the showers, and for the getting her all ready. The best parts! :)

My Interesting Wedding Thoughts?!?

Within our family, starting with Bethany's wedding, there will be a wedding in August, September, October, November, December, & January. They've all reached their own "fairy tale" as Bethany likes to put it.

It was hard for me to believe that Bethany was getting married when I'd heard the announcement. She is still "little Bethany" in my mind.

This is a picture of Melissa (her sister) and I at the shower that they did for her. It reminded us of just how old that we really are! We are 11 years older than Bethany :(

Melissa and I were "best cousins" growing up. That was my favorite part about when we'd come back to Utah for the summers while we lived in Toronto...getting to have numerous adventures and sleepovers with Melissa. We'd trade clothes, books, makeup, and anything else that we could think of.
The first real vacation that I can remember was one that I took with my Grandma S. and my aunt Emily up to Oregon to visit the Browns. I remember throwing GI Joe parachute guys off of their landing and of sleeping in their upstairs toy room. I admitted it years later but that was also the trip that I'd killed their pet goldfish because I'd fed it too much...hehehe :) oops!

Our Mom's are sisters so we did alot together as we grew up before our families both moved away. I even remember the day that we did these pictures. We went to the University mall and did them. See the clip in my hair? I had lost it just before but my Mom did a massive search of the car and luckily found it in time :) Katie and Melissa...we were the 2 little flower girls at all of the family weddings...

Bethany looked absolutely gorgeous!! Now it's Kay (Melissa's) and Samantha (Alissa's) turn to be the 2 little flower girls...
Our lives have all gone in different directions so it was so fun to see everyone. As often as we say that we'll get together, it's so hard to actually do it.
L to R - Claire (Adam B), Alissa (Nathan B), Lauren B, me, and Melissa B (Tom M)

Now this is where it gets a little too honest and negative so I'll apologize before hand...

I'll be real. I shed some selfish tears during the ceremony. Not tears of joy for Bethany (though I am so excited and happy for her) but tears of sadness for me. At one point I remember looking up at that same ceiling, smiling, and thinking "Maybe soon?!?" I was in a relationship that I felt I knew was right and that I thought would be the one. So the other day, my thoughts went back to that. Now whether the relationship should have worked out or not, the question "why" and the confusion still comes to mind. In my mind it all made sense for it to last and did not make sense for it to be over. Even though I now know that it all worked out the way it should have, the sadness is still there because I still lost and miss a best-friend. As in control I am with certain aspects of my life, I still get lonely. I'm not in control when it comes to that side of life. Call me pathetic for admitting this. For admitting that I'm not so tough all the time but come on...I'm allowed to feel sorry for myself every now and then especially when the questions why and when are so apparent in my mind!

So basically I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I went out and did the picture thing and then made it over to The Gateway. After finding a few smile worthy items at Anthropologie, made it back to ??? ?????? ????? ???????? (I am not saying so as to not ruin it's name) for the wedding luncheon. Once I found out that the only way to get to the room was through an elevator that was hidden in the back kitchen, I was starting to become annoyed again. I sat down at my place, put down my purse, and requested the directions to the restroom. "Oh...the restroom? Well you have to go outside in the heat and clear around the building to the other side." (I wish that I was kidding) I put on a smile and made my trek over to the restroom. It gets even better. I went into the restroom and did not see the "handicap" stall. I wanted to start crying not to mention the heat and stress sweat that was forming on my forehead. I found someone and asked them what the deal was?!? "Down the hall a bit further in a special stall room". Whatever...a special stall??? I opened the door, threw up in my mouth, and knew that something was not right. I looked at the toilet and when I saw what was there, looked up into the sky and that morning asked another "why?". I was either going to cry or to laugh so I threw out a fuuuuu and just started to laugh as I began to clean since it was the only toilet for me to use :( As disgusting as it was, I had to take a picture because I knew that my family would never believe me when I told them!

Quoting my friend Alice, this is a comment that has all ready become known as a classic but that will now have a greater meaning "I'm serious! I can't make this shit up!"

I dealt with it. Had a good laugh with the rest of the group that was at my table and got suggestions on what to put in the letter that I should write. I'll keep you posted on that one...

Later that night, I made it over to the reception which turned out gorgeous but I'm not surprised! The Brown's can't do anything but gorgeous and perfect! Here is a picture of Alissa, me, and Melissa. Alissa married Melissa's brother-my cuz Nathan and they live in Arkansas so it was great to see them!

Overall, a day full of alot of different emotions that were both good and bad but a great family get together as usual.

Congratulations again to Jake and Bethany!

And I learned that it's time I came to terms with the whole wedding situation since the next one will be for one of my BFS's and then the next for one of my BFB's :( Actually don't remind me. I'm beginning to have a panic attack because when I think about it, I realize I'm not quite there yet!!!! Oh Sh@*.... Crying...Tears...Here we go again!!! :(

"When You Were Walking..."

When I got home the other day after running some errands, I was presented with this drawing. At first I thought it was a bee :) but I listened as Kindra explained to me what it is.

"This is for you Mom. This is a picture of you when you were walking. It's beautiful isn't it?"

This is not the first time that we have talked about this issue. For some reason she is obsessed with knowing or worrying about what I was like "when you were walking".

I was surprised the first time that she brought it up since I'd never had to talk to Carter about it. I forget that they don't know...they don't remember. I sat them down and went over the accident and what had happened and what was now wrong. Carter accepted it and doesn't really act like it's a big deal. But it bothers Kindra and it makes her sad for me because I am "broken". She is also sad because I can not "run, jump, gallop, or hop".

Now this is exactly why I do everything that I possibly can so that I can say "You're right. I can't do this, this, or this but I can do this, this, and this." I have said it a million times...the situation sucks but it is what it is and I am going to be as positive as I possibly can. I don't want my kids to think that I've ever given up....as hard as that is I won't!

"Well when are you going to walk and get rid of that wheelchair?" (this always pulls at my heart strings when she says this ending it with one of her sad sighs)

"Soon Kindra. I hope very soon", I say....

Going to the "Mini Lagoon"

Since mid June, I have been telling the kids that we would take them to "Liberty Land" which is one of Lehi's newest attractions. They were excited when I finally gave in and told them that we were going to the "mini Lagoon", as Kindra likes to call it.
They actually have some rides that were perfect for them. A perfect mixture of not too scary and not too wussy :)
...and yes! It was like a tracker beam...Carter to the water to get him completely soaked :)


As nervous as I was about Carter driving his own go cart with some of the crazy drivers that were out there, he actually did really good! One of those moments when you realize that your little boy is not so little anymore :( and you need to re-cut the umbilical cord!

...look how brave Kindra is...closing her eyes yet the lifting of the arms!
I will admit that I had a panic attack after we left that night! I was thinking about what am I going to do during the Winter season!?! Where will we go and what will we do in the snow!!! boo hoo hoo I am crying right now!!!

GNO (Girls Night Out)

If you have not all ready heard the take on this movie...it is a perfect GNO movie! Get together for a dinner and a movie night and go check it out. It's just a really fun one to go and see and to sing along to. I was just a singing my heart out (silently on the outside but loudly in my mind) and completely enjoying myself. The music took me way back....

I have very vivid and fond memories of being 5-8 yrs old and dancing along as my Dad's 8 track played some of his favorite tunes....ABBA! I took total pride in the fact that I knew EVERY song that they sang and that's completely because of my Dad :)

So for those of you who could not make it...GO SEE IT but not to worry...you were missed and there's always next time!

PS---Tara, Angi, Teneale, Katie---The goal for January is now in writing so it's a true goal so there's no backing out now!!! It's official and it's a plan! :) hehehe