Friday, August 29, 2008

I got this from one of my cousins....

Before I was a Mom...
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom...
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on, chewed on, or peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom...
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do test.
Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom...
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a mom.

Before I was a Mom...
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom...
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a mom. 
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

This one's for the grandparents...


Here are the pictures I got taken of Conner for his 3rd birthday. 

Patrick was couldn't beleive that I let him dress like a redneck in the cowboy picture, but at least he's a cute little redneck/cowboy!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Brayden's 1st day of school!



This was Bradyen's first day of Kindergarten! I can't believe that he is old enough to be going to school. He had a great first day, and his teacher said that he did great. I asked him what was his favorite part of Kindergarten, and he told me reading the stories and watching the movie that we have. I guess they watched "The Letter Factory" and he thought that was pretty cool, because we have that movie too. He has a few friends in his class from church, so I think that he'll have no problems getting adjusted to school. I'm excited for him to be starting school, but a little sad that he is growing up so fast. He is growing up to be such an awesome kid!!

Conner was a little sad that he didn't get to go to school too. But he starts his preschool class next week. There is a lady in our ward doing it out of her house, so he will be starting that next week, and he is really excited to be going to school like his big brother. 

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Memories...

Ok, I'm totally going to give the credit for this blog to my friend Suzie. She did it a while ago on her blog in response to so many of the "memory" tags that people had send out. So I thought it was a great idea, so I'm going to copy her! Thanks Suz!!

K, so here we go down my blog list....this may take some time!

Denice- She and I met my second semester at LDSBC. She moved into the dorm across the hall from me. We had many fun nights laughing and hanging out with all our roommates. One night, I remember going 4-wheeling in the mud in some guys jeep. (yes I do remember his name, but that is irrelevant. He was trying to date another one of my roommates) It was really late, and so pitch black, I was so afraid that we were gonna get stuck and not be able to get out, but we made it home, and have a funny pic of us and the muddy jeep in from of a gas station at like 2 in the morning!

Lindsey- I met Lindsey last year when we moved here to Vegas. She was even lucky enough to be my visiting teacher for a while. Our kids went to preschool together, and became great friends, and they love to play together, which Lindsey and I agree helps us to get things done because they are so busy playing with each other. She recently invited me to a Lia Sophia party, and thanks to her, I'm now addicted. Patrick thanks you for that Lindsey!!  :)

Brooke- She was my roommate my first semester at the LDSBC. She was one of the few roommates that didn't annoy me all the time! We had TONS of fun together, and she is one of the nicest people you will meet! She is from Preston, ID and so I think of wonderful Brooke every time I see Napoleon Dynamite! I had lost touch with her over the years, only to recently find out that she lives not too far away from me here in Vegas. I remember countless late nights with her and other roommates having fun and laughing, and talking about boys, one in particular that literally dated almost every one of my roommates!  HA HA HA!!

Lisa & Ace- Well I first really met Lisa because she was Brayden's preschool teacher last year. Patrick and Ace serve in the EQ Presidency together, and that is how I even found out about Lisa's preschool. She also happened to be my visiting teacher along with Lindsey at one time. She is super nice to EVERYONE and I don't think she can be mean to anyone! They have a cute little boy, Easton, and my boys love to play with him on Sunday's after church while our hubby's are in their Presidency meeting, and Lisa and I will chat while the boys play. They are expecting another baby in Jan, and I'm so excited for them! Ace also was the wonderful saving grace for us, we hired him to paint our new house and install ceiling fans. Which we were SO grateful for!! 

Chris & Kym- Oh man, where to start with them?!? They are our bestest, greatest friends that we left behind in SLC. We first met them because Chris was Patrick's boss, but they soon became great friends, therefore, Kym and I eventually met, and became great friends too. Its so crazy how alike we all are to each other. We know way too much about each other sometimes, but that is because they are great people to talk to and to listen. There are way too many great memories with them and their fam. Our NYC trip was one of the best ever, largely because they were with us and had fun with us. They have been one of our biggest supporters through all the hard times over the last year and a half (besides our families) and we are so incredibly blessed to have them as our friends!!

Hope- I have known Hope all my life I think! She is only like 2 days older then me, and we grew up in Prescott together and were in the same ward almost all the time growing up. She came to my birthday parties, and we went to the same school, although she was a grade ahead of me. I remember having fun times at Mutual and at Girls camp with Hope and Melissa Ainsa. Our leaders never really liked us so much, cuz we were always talking! Imagine that, I was talking too much!! Hope is wonderful, and I don't think that I've even seen her since she graduated High School, and got married. If fact, I don't think that I've ever met her husband, but they live in Alabama and have a cute little family.

Blake and Jamie- Well Blake was one of Patrick's mission companions in Hungry, so they go way back. But I first met Blake and Jamie when I started dating Patrick, because Blake and Patrick were roommates, and Blake was dating Jamie then. They are super fun people to hang out with, although sadly, we haven't seen them in years! Blake was one of Patrick's groomsmen at our wedding, and not long after we got married, so did Blake and Jamie. Most of the memories we have of Blake are from their mission. Patrick and Blake had lots of great times playing bloody knuckles with quarters (it made it extra bloody, really I have the pictures to prove it!), and playing Scotland Yard on P-day's. They now live in Houston with their adorable little girl.

Eric and Lisa-We met them not long after we were married. They were our neighbors in our apt. in Taylorsville. We had so many fun times having dinner's at each others apt., and going to late night dinners. We each had our kids only about 3-4 months apart. We had great times living close to each other. We each moved apart, but stayed great friends. I remember having a way fun trip to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone with them when Lisa and I were both pregnant with our first kids. We had a few fun trips with them. They now live in San Antonio with their 2 cute boys, and we miss them a lot!

Meredith-Again, I know Mer from High School. I don't really remember  when she moved to Prescott, I think it was the beginning of High School, but she lived just around the corner from me. I remember being on Seminary counsel with her our senior year and I would pick her up for those early morning meetings, and we would talk to each other just to stay awake! She has BEAUTIFUL eyes, and is super nice to everyone. She recently moved from Hawaii back to Prescott. She has a beautiful little boy, and again, I don't think that I have ever met her husband, she got married while I was off at college. 

Ashley and Kevin-Ashley was my roommate all through my LDSBC years until Patrick and I got married. After the dorms, we got a somewhat crappy apt. up in the Avenues of SLC and had tons of fun living together. We lived right next to a 7-11 so we would make slurpee runs during the commercials of our fav shows. Kevin was Patrick's roommate until we got married. Then at our wedding, Kevin met Ashley, and 4 months later were married. So I totally will take partial credit for hooking them up, even though I had no idea they had hooked up till after my honeymoon and they had already started dating while we were gone, I still like to think I'm a good matchmaker, so you are welcome Ashley!  :) They have 3 cute little kids and live in Payson, UT.

Samantha Miller-She is in my ward, and has these sweet, and adorable twins! She is fun to be around, and she is in Bunco with me. She is a HUGE BYU fan, and she is lucky enough to go on lots of trips. She is super nice to all!

Samantha O'Malley- I first met her because she was the Primary Pres. when I got called to Primary here in Vegas. We then started hanging out with some of the same friends and had fun when we did. She has a son named Conner too, even spells it the same! Her hubby is in the air force, so they just moved to CA. We miss her at Bunco and ward activities! She is super funny, and lot of fun to be around.

Suzie-Well Suzie and I met the first week I went to College, and she was the RS president of our ward. Then very next week, I was called to be one of her counselors! YIKES!! We had fun at our pres. meetings, and going out to Chevey's for brownie ice cream sundaes! She is one of the nicest people I have ever met! She is always fun to be around, and makes everyone around her laugh. We had lots of good talks. If I was having a bad day, it always happened that I'd get a call from Suz to see how I was doing, and as I'd start crying about my latest "dilemma" she would say, "K, I'm coming to pick you up!" and then help me be happy again! She is awesome, lives in West Valley, UT,  with her hubby and 2 cute boys, and I miss hanging out with her. 

Rhia Jean-I don't really remember when I met Rhia, she is my sister's BFF. She lived with Janette for a long time till Janette got married last summer. She is so fun to hang out with. She is a great friend to my sister too! She has a great sense of humor, and makes me laugh all the time.  She shares my love of the Twilight books and together we convinced Janette to read them! HAHAHA!! Victory! She lives in Dallas and just bought a cute little house. She tells great stories, and it will be fun to see her in Dec. when I go out to Texas!! 

Janette and Jeff-Well lets see, when did I meet Janette, oh yeah the day I was born! She is my big sister!!! Growing up we were those sisters that just tolerated each other, because we had to share a room, but as we grew up we realized we have it pretty good being sisters. Today, I consider her one of my bestest best friends! She just got married last year to Jeff, which is when I met him, a few months before they got hitched. They are expecting their first baby in Oct. Her name is gonna be Bailey Elizabeth. I'm super excited she is having a girl, because I have already bought so many cute girl things for her, I'm a little girl deprived at my house! Jeff is the greatest guy I could have asked for to marry my amazing sister. He is fun and super talented! They are just about to move back up to Dallas, and I can't wait to see them, and my new niece in Dec. when we go out there. We always have fun when we get together with them, I just wish it happened more often! We had TONS of fun playing Mau (sp?) till all hours of the night with them, they are fun people to play games with! 

Jon and MaLaan-well these are my cousins, so I have known Jon all my life, and I don't remember when I first met Malaan, but I do know it was at our Shumate family thanksgiving! It's like this untold tradition that if you bring your bf/gf to our family thanksgiving, you end up marrying them. Jon always has great stories to tell, and is hilarious! MaLaan is lots of fun to be around. They have 2 adorable boys, and just had a beautiful little girl on the 4th of July. Jon is currently deployed with the Air Force in Africa and we all can't wait for his safe arrival back home so he can meet his new daughter. One of my first memories of Jon is playing in their basement in Cedar City and he was teaching some of us all the swear words!  :) Thanks for the education Jon!

Mark and Christine-Again these are my cousins. I remember always playing with Mark, because he is pretty close to me in age. We would have fun going to the parks, and playing Nintendo whenever our families got together. I met Christine at, again, our Shumate fam Thanksgiving. They just had a cute little girl too. Mark used to have, what many refer to as "Satan's cat". This cat hated everyone but Mark. It would hiss if you walked by, and once, it even peed on my bed while I was sleeping in it. Don't worry Aunt Cherie, I totally laugh about it!!

Robby and April-yet, again, my cousin!! Robby is just a few years younger then me, and I remember when they would come to visit us, Robby would have these huge crocodile tears in his eyes when they drove away. Yes, I was just that great to be with! :) We always had fun playing Nintendo too. He is like the master of video games. He just married April in June. I met April a few year ago, at, you guessed it, Thanksgiving! (see really, we have all married the ones we bring home for thanksgiving!) She is so fun to be around. They are the perfect match! They just moved out to Pittsburgh for Rob to start dental school. I still laugh about a few years ago at thanksgiving, Rob overheard me say that I have never got my wisdom teeth out, even though my dentist has told me to for years. He looked in my mouth and lectured me why I should get them out. For the record, no I haven't done it yet Robby, I'm waiting for you to become a DDS and do it for me!!  :) They both graduated from The U, and we still love them even though they went to school there!!

Melissa-I have also known Melissa my whole life. She grew up with me and I don't remember a time we weren't friends. She is so much fun! We always shared a tent at Girls Camp, and I swear our leaders hated us, because we would stay up late, messing around. I remember in elementary school, I would decide what to have for lunch based off of what Melissa had, cuz I thought I had to do everything she did. She and her husband are currently living in Hong Kong for a few months. They have a little boy and another baby on the way. Melissa has a great smile, and can make ANYONE happy!

Laura-I don't remember when Laura moved into our ward In Prescott, or maybe she came into it when they redid boundary lines, I don't know. I loved her whole family! Her mom was one of my fav YW leaders. Her dad was one of our funny bishopric members, and her twin brother always seemed to be in my seminary class, and yes, I (like so many others) had a crush on him in HS. I remember one time when Laura was the laural class pres, she gave notes to all the girls in the class telling them how special we all are and that she loved us all! I still remember that, because it made me feel so good and I loved being a part of that class. She married Sean (who I think I knew in HS, but I didn't know tons of people, but he seems familiar!) and they have such a cute little girl! She still lives in Prescott, and I hope to visit her next time I'm down there!

Annie- I met Annie my when I went to college. She lived in the dorm downstairs from me and was called into the RS presidency with me and Suzie. She always was fun to be with. I hung out in her dorm more then my own sometimes. Ann is the most positive person I have met, and can make anyone feel good. I remember we used to go to lunch with a bunch of friends on Friday's at some chinese buffet on State St. in SLC. I also remember one time making calzones with her, and although they were sooooo yummy, they took forever to make, but we laughed and had fun as we did it. She has 2 handsome boys, and another baby on the way!

Jessica-She is my Close to My Heart friend! I met her one night at enrichment here in Vegas, and I got to know her through our mutual love of scrapbooking, and she happened to sell my fav scrapbook stuff. I love scrapbooking with her, because she does some great pages. She is nice to everyone, and my boys love to play with her boys. 

K, so I think I got everyone! I have so many fun memories of everybody, it took some thought of what to write. Thanks for so many good time everyone!  :)

Sunday, August 17, 2008

The Great Debate!


Ok, I was talking with my sister the other day, and we were laughing at how both of our husbands think that anything that has Jello in it is a dessert. Me and my sister totally disagree, it is a side dish! Every Sunday growing up my dad made Jello of some kind for dinner. It sometimes had fruit in it or things like that. (I don't think that he ever put carrots in green jello, but there were some interesting combinations I do remember.) Still to this day, if you show up at my mom and dad's for Sunday dinner, you can bet there will be Jello. There are so many jello SALAD recipes that we would have. This is why my sister and I say its a side dish. Patrick and my (mislead) brother-in-law think that if it has jello and/or Cool Whip it has to be a dessert. I will give it to them that even I would consider some Jello dishes to be a dessert, but plain Jello, or things like my favorite Strawberry Pretzel SALAD are side dishes. So we (me and Janette) find it funny when we make Jello for dinner as a side, and our husbands will both save it for last, and eat it in a separate bowl even! So this was brought up again tonight as we ate our lovely Sunday dinner, and it included Jello. Just plain old strawberry Jello. We were once again on the Jello debate (all in good fun of course!) 

So I am posing this question to all you, our reliable friends and family...... Is Jello a side dish or dessert??? I am going to post a poll so you can vote. Please let me know what you think.  Is this just a Utah thing?? Even though both Patrick and I were raised in AZ, my mom lived in Utah all her life growing up, until after she was married and had my oldest brother. So maybe it is the Utah tradition of Jello (it is, after all, the official state food!) shinning through her in the way she brought us up. Or does it just depend on HOW it's made that makes it a side or dessert? Please enlighten me everyone!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Busy few weeks...

Well these last few weeks have been super busy for us. Not only were we unpacking, but my mom was able to come up for a quick visit while my dad was in CA on fires. And then we made a very quick trip to Utah.  The boys were so excited when they saw the Provo Temple from our hotel. So I took them up to see it. And despite the fact that it was a little cloudy and the sun wasn't out, I couldn't convince Brayden that the sun wasn't blinding him. He kept closing his eyes every time I tried to take a picture, so since only Conner would cooperate, he's the only one who got his picture taken. Conner also kept insisting that we needed to go inside the temple for someone's wedding. I don't know who he thought was getting married, but I guess since last time we went to Utah and saw a temple, it was because my cousin was getting marred, so he just thought that was why we went to see the temple every time!

They were also able to see the football stadium for BYU from our hotel, and they thought that was VERY cool. As you were driving to the Provo Temple, we of course passed the MTC and the boys saw all the new missionaries arriving. When I told them that their dad used to live there, they were even more excited and both said they can't wait to go and live there too, just like daddy! Hopefully they still want that when they are 19!

The last 2 weeks of July I had the boys in swimming lessons. They had so much fun, even though they both almost drowned a couple times each. (I'm not joking!!) Somehow Conner even managed to almost drowned WITH a life jacket on. But by the end, they were putting their little faces in the water, kicking great, and jumping in the water. 
I'm not sure why both my boys just insisted that they wear goggles. So everyday they would borrow some from their teacher. They didn't fit, and defiantly didn't keep the water out, but it was all in their head that they "needed" them. I loved how funny Conner looked in his big ol' green ones.
Brayden was pretty good at swimmig, at least when he decided to. He sure is a stubborn kid (I don't know where he got that from, but I'm guessing the Patton side of the fam!)  :)
One day he would do some stroke she taught him perfectly, then the next, he wouldn't even try it. Whatever kid!!!



Also, during one of our many nights we had to eat out while in the mist of moving, we went to Chili's and they had a person there doing these fun balloon things. They boys thought they were the coolest thing ever. They literally cried when the balloons popped after a few days of play. 
Other random, funny things....
...I took Conner to the Dr. today for his 3 year check up. And the Dr. just kinda looked at him and said, "well, he is a big kid, huh?? Looks like he is in the 90th percentile for both height and weight. Does he have any problems eating?" Really??? Are you asking me this when you just told me my kid was in the 90% of all other kids his age?? No, I told her, he doesn't. What I find even more funny, is that Brayden is only about 4 pounds bigger then his little brother! My kids sure are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Brayden has always been smaller for his age, and Conner has always been bigger.

... The other night as Brayden said his prayers before bed, he prayed that his birthday would be tomorrow. When he woke up the next day, he asked me when his birthday was, and I told him, not till Dec. 24th. He looked all disappointed and said, "but in my prayers last night, I prayer-ed that it would be today!" I just tried not to laugh too hard at him, and tried to explain why Heavenly Father isn't going to make his birthday come faster, just so he can get new toys!  My kids crack me up!!

... I got Brayden's info for starting school today! WOW! I can't believe that he is old enough to go to school. I'm so excited for him, and he is WAY excited too. I was happy that he got the track and teacher that I wanted. He starts school in less then 2 weeks!

... I'm excited too, because on Thursday we are getting some of our new furniture. I can't wait!!!