Thanksgiving Festivities

Man, has it been a month....again? Not much has happened in the last month, except for Thanksgiving. We had my family over and Dave, Shar and their kids stayed the weekend with us. We had a great time. The food was good (except for my quite soggy dressing. I do not recommend making it in a crockpot).

As you can see, my family is a very interactive bunch. Above is proof that the boys just love to get together and discuss world events, have deep spiritual discussions or just get caught up on eachother's lives. We did pull the gaming devices from their hands long enough to play a few games with us. We stayed up pretty late, full well knowing that we would have to get up at a quarter to 4:00 a.m. to go shopping.

As soon as Ty and my dad sat down to watch a movie they were out. In my family it is a definite rule to get a picture of whoever has fallen asleep in full view of the family. We were pretty tame this time. We usually like to decorate our victims before snapping a photo.

Here are the younger cousins in their traditional stair pose. Every year we get them on our stairs. It's fun to see them grow and fill up the stairs. My kids are the goofy ones. Tyler is in that wierd "I have no clue how to smile" stage and Ainsley decided having an orange in her mouth would be hilarious.

We went down with Dave and Shar to the lights at Temple Square. They were really beautiful and the kids loved seeing them with their cousins. This is the last picture we took down there and the kids, I think, were done with having our picture taken. We rode frontrunner and trax and, although it took a lot longer than we thought, it was a fun experience for everyone.

3 a.m. thoughts

I woke up with a migraine and after taking a handful of medication, I am waiting for it to kick in. Whilst doing so, my thoughts are racing towards this Sunday, when I have to give a Relief Society lesson. I chose Adversity and the Atonement a while ago, and am now lacking inspiration to give it the umph it deserves. So, I wanted to ask you, my friends, if you have anything I can use during my lesson. Is there a story from your life about how the Atonement has seen you through a rough patch (I will change names if necessary)? Do you have a brilliant scripture that illistrates how the Lord is always by our side in times of need? Anything....please! I don't think it is fair to ask and not give so I thought I would share. When I was a teenager, I went through an extremely self-inflicted and severe trial. I was in over my head and had no clue what to do. My testimony, if anything, was weak at best. My confidence in myself was shattered and I was in a very lonely place. However, I was fortunate enough to have people rally around me. Out of sheer necessity, I turned toward my Heavenly Father, both for forgiveness and strength. Both seemed to come slowly but surely. My eyes were opened to the power of the Atonement. It was a concept I had been taught in primary and Young Womens, but it was a bit too abstract for me to really "get". I finally understood that the Lord really does give us trials for a purpose. I believe he also gives us tools to see us through those trials. For me, it was supportive family and friends. In a situation where I could have been shunned (a much too severe word for lack of a better one), I had people all around me that defended me, lifted me up and offered me unending support. Without these people, I know my trial would have been much darker and more difficult to endure. I am so thankful for the power of forgiveness. I am so thankful for the love that Heavenly Father shows me everyday. I am truly a blessed child of God.

Other early morning thoughts:
Thank you, Rita, for asking me to run "today"! It kicked my butt, but I am so glad to get going. You were so kind to think of me. I am having a bit of buyers remore with the shoes, but oh well. By the way, I think bangs would look fabulous on you.

Watch the Price is Right today if you can. My cousin, Myrna, is on it today!

I am so glad to have my brother and sista-in-law so close again! We look forward to chillin' with y'all more often.

Anyone know how to make curtains (and be willing to teach me)?

Well, better get back to bed. The medication is kicking in.

I am TAG

I saw this cute tag on my friend's (and soon-to-be running buddy again....right?:) blog and thought it too insightful to pass up. I like an excuse to look into myself every once in a while. I tag YOU because I want to read your answers.

I am...tired.
I think...way too much at 1:00 a.m.
I want...my kids to be happy and kind.
I have...a great husband.
I miss...running. I never thought I would say that and mean it.
I fear...I'm going to "found out" and all confidence in me will be lost.
I feel...great appreciation for the gospel in my life.
I hear...my kids playing with their cousins.
I smell...bleach and lysol (bathroom cleaning day)
I crave...some sort of chocolate almost every night before bed.
I cry...very little in public, even though I want or need to.
I search...for patience all the time.
I wonder...how long Ainsley and Ty will want to hang around with me.
I regret...way too much.
I wish...I could travel to Oklahoma whenever I wanted.
I love...the look on Ainsley's face when I go to volunteer in her class.
I care...about what people think of me.
I always...have wished I had a tangable talent.
I worry...I am doing this mom thing all wrong.
I am not...a perfectionist.
I remember...my older sister tormenting me (making me pee my pants or throw up) growing up.
I believe...I have been blessed with the best people on this earth. I have an incredible husband, caring family, and amazing friends. I am a lucky girl.
I sing...very badly.
I don't always...act on those small whisperings, and I always end up wishing I had.
I argue...too much for Blake's comfort.
I write...too little. There are people I intend to write to, but...
I lose...my temper too easily with my kids sometimes.
I listen...to Video Killed the Radio Star way too much.
I can usually be found...babysitting one kid or another.
I need...to learn to say yes with a more willing heart.
I forget...almost everything if I don't write it down.
I am happy...when my kids come home from school.

What to do, what to do

This evening Ainsley came inside crying. She was upset because a couple of neighbor girls were outside riding their bikes up and down the street and told Ainsley that she could not play with them. These girls are her age and are in her class at school. She really wants to be friends with them, but more often than not, they choose to exclude her say mean things to her like her hair isn't pretty or her coloring is bad (two things Ainsley takes pretty seriously). So tonight one of the girls said she hated Ainsley. It really broke her heart to be told that. I don't know what to do about it. Do I go and talk to the girls mothers? I know if Ainsley were treating other kids that way I would want to know. On the other hand, I don't want to try and fix every problem Ainsley has. I know that is the way little girls are, like it or not. I have tried to tell Ainsley to walk away from them when they start to be mean, but she really wants them to like her and doesn't understand what she has done to them to have them treat her so badly. So, I'm asking for advice. Should I let the other mothers know what is happening or should I just redirect Ainsley's attentions to other friends that do treat her well. What are your thoughts?

just yadda-ing

I just felt like getting on and rambling a bit today. Can I just say how excited I am for conference this weekend? This is the first time in my entire life that I have thought or said that. I have always looked forward to conference, but more as a "weekend off". I have looked forward to being able to watch it in my jammies in the comfort of my home. I have enjoyed conference, but more often than not, it has been for aforementioned selfish reasons. This time is different. This time I am looking forward to the messages I will get to hear. I am excited to be counseled by people that have our best interests in mind. I have been trying harder lately to understand the gospel. Right now, I still feel like I have the spiritual comprehension of a sunbeam, but hopefully I will continue to grow. I have felt the spirit so strongly on recent occasions, and it makes me realize that I have known that the gospel is true for a long time. I just have never taken the steps to find out before. Yesterday was Ainsley's primary program. She memorized her line and was so proud of herself. They sang a few of my very favorite songs and it was hard to keep the tears from flowing. Their message was so simple and sweet and it really touched my heart. The thought of Tyler being up there next year is so exciting.
On another note, I have been feeling the stresses of life in the forms of many headaches and stiff shoulders. The sad thing is I know my life isn't that stressful compared to many, many people I know. I haven't been running (need new shoes), which I know has been a huge factor it the way I have been feeling. I guess that I have been a lazy bum for so long, that I have a hard time adjusting to the normal rigors of everyday life. Blake thinks I should go see a doctor about my headaches, but I don't know what he can really do about it except perscribe pain killers. It bothers me that I am this way and I hate it that the kids see me laying down and immediately ask me if I am sick. I just don't want to be that kind of mom, always sick. Maybe this is a good excuse to get a weekly massage. Now that is something to think about.
Well, this week is full of activity. I have our Fall Social for enrichment this Thursday. I will be glad to have that one under my belt....only to move on to Christmas Social. I hope everyone's week is great!

Cute HSM

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I know, I know......

I knew I would do this. I have gotten so behind, and everytime I think "I need to catch up", I just feel overwhelmed because I am so behind on this thing. It is a vicious circle in my head. So, I thought I would just summarize this last month and a half and maybe throw in a few pictures to give it a little pizzaz.

In the first week of August the kids and I went up to Idaho, with my sister Rachel, to visit Dave and Shar and their kids. We had a really great time there. They took us 4-wheeling where a small incident occured with Tyler (he slipped off a 9 foot drop while throwing rocks over it). Luckily my brother Dave was already down there and was able to grab him up off of the ground. He had a nasty bump on his noggin and a few scratches and scrapes but was most upset about getting his pants all wet (he landed in a little creek at the bottom). I know he was protected out there because all I could imagine as I saw him slip (in slow motion) was how I was going to get a bloody, unconcious little boy medical attention way out here? He calmed down after a little while and we ended up having a great time despite the mishap.

Rachel returned to Japan in mid-August and we were all sad to see her go. We're not sure how soon we will be able to see her again and we were so grateful to have her for so long this summer.

Ainsley had her first swim lessons this summer. She was a little scared of having to swim on her own, but she ended up having a great time. She did really well, but I think she had the most fun when she was able to socialize while waiting for her turn with the teacher.

The rest of August was a blur, between Relief Society enrichment activities, presidency meetings, Blake's bishopric meetings, getting ready for kids to go back to school, and just your everyday duties, I don't know where the month went. Ainsley started her first day of Kindergarten at the end of August. I can't believe she goes to school everyday now. She has been ready for so long and she loves her classmates and her teacher.

Tyler started pre-school right after Labor Day. He has been trying to go to preshool for a year now and he was so happy he got to stay instead of just dropping Ainsley off. He has a great teacher he loves and he says he sits by his "funny friend" but he can't remember his name or what he does that is so funny. He just says he makes him laugh.

Blake just celebrated his *gasp* 34th birthday. He got a new PS2 game that Tyler loves to play with him. They have become pretty tight since Ty has discovered star wars, super heros and video games. He practically paces the floor until Blake gets home. It is really cute and Blake loves the attention.

So that pretty much brings you up to speed on our whereabouts. Thanks for putting up with this long blog. See you soon!

Move over mom, Aunt Rachel's in town

I have been replaced. My sister, Rachel, came a-visitin' from Japan. It has been a highly anticipated event in the life of Ainsley (and all of us of course, but especially Ainsley). Rachel has the honor of sharing a room with Ainlsey while she is at our house. Ainsley has done nothing but eat, sleep and breath all things Rachel. I couldn't read her a story last night...that was Rachel's job. I couldn't cuddle with her and talk, that was Rachel's job. In the morning, Rachel was the one who got to rise early with Ainsley (one job I was happy to give up at "5:44" in the morning). Then the bomb dropped for poor mommy, it was Rachel who had to match with Ainsley today. She couldn't have cared less if I walked out the door buck naked. I don't think she would have even cared if I walked out the door at all, as long as her new favorite girl was with her. I really don't mind, to be honest. I love that she loves my sister as much as I do. Just wanted to publicly than Rach for taking over my spot for the week. Now I know how Blake feels. Love ya, Lacher!

Gamma Phi!

On the July 3rd I got to see Wende for a split second (it seemed like). She was up from Arizona for the holiday and we managed to get together some Sharmeans. It was great to see Wende, and everyone else as well, even if I did have to rush off. Above is Stacy, Lil Amber, Wende, me and big Amber.

Here is our posterity (plus the little one floating around in lil Amber's tummy.)

Ainsley's insights

Ainsley was tagged by her cousin Abby to answer these questions. Here you go, Abs!

What does mommy always say to you?

"I love you very much."

What makes mommy happy?

"When I clean up my room"

What makes mommy sad?

"When I get hurt."

How does mommy make you laugh?

"Tickles me"

What was mommy like when she was little?

"Cute!"

How old is mom?

"33?"

How tall is mommy?

"6 inches."

What does mommy like to do?

"Keep the house clean."

What is something mommy doesn't like to do?

"Mess up the whole house."

What does mommy do for a job?

"Watch us, am I correct?"

What is mom's favorite food?

"Tacos"

What do mommy and Ainsley like to do together?

"Go shopping at the mall."

How do you know mom loves you?

"Cause when I was a baby, I was so cute. And when I got a little older, I grew cuter and cuter."

Ainsley tags Kennedy, Bryson and Casey

Before and After

For some reason I can't get some of my pictures to upload. Frustrating. Anyhoo, here are some pics that I was able to get uploaded. Here is a picture of some of the stairs Blake and his dad worked on. We also put laminate down on the upstair hallway.



Here is an after picture of the lower living room. We painted the room and put new carpet down. We still need to get curtains up and some crown moulding, nut for the most part it is done. Below is a picture of the living room before.





We also had central air put in and finally, as of last night finished our bathroom. We had the shower and floor retiled, put in a new vanity and toilet and painted the walls. We also put white shutters up on the window. Now what's the next project? Oh, I've got my ideas, no matter how many times Blake rolls his eyes.

They're hicks, Rita

We went to a family reunion in Blackfoot. It was at Blake's Uncle and Aunts house. They had a horse in the back that Tyler fell in love with. He kept going back and petting his nose.

They had fun activities for the kids like hula hooping...

Tyler met a second cousin named Taylor. They hit it off right away and played together all day long. Either Taylor is short or Tyler is tall because Taylor turns 5 in September and Tyler is 3 1/2.

Ainsley found some trees to climb with her cousins.

Bubble blowing was another fun thing for the kids. Blake's uncle had a homemade potato launcher that thankfully only worked once. It was really loud and cared the kids a bit.

Zoo-licious

We got a zoo pass this year instead of a Cherry Hill pass so here is our first membership visit. The kids discovered the playground they have there. We spent about an hour there alone.

My little hatchling.

This is probably one of my favorite pictures i have taken of the kids. They wanted to do silly faces and thi was one of the results. I think it will be a classic.

Backyard Fun

Well, we got a trampoline off of KSl in hopes that our kids will actually want to stay home and play. It has been a huge hit and the kids really love it. We got it set up in time for our niece's birthday party. It was fun to watch all the little cousins jumping and giggling.

Ainsley and Bryson had a lot of fun playing together and being the "big kids" on the trampoline.

Tyler and Abby being silly during "little kids" time.

Peek-a-boo birthday girl!

Yummy cupcakes, Aunt Shar.

Look who has a great smile. Joe is soooooo stinkin' cute.

Happy Birthday, Susan

For my birthday I wanted to go to this cute pioneer park in SLC. It was a little cold and windy, but not crowded at all.

We had fun riding the "train" around in the village and learning about our pioneer heritage. The kids had the most fun at the petting zoo area and riding on the ponies. They have done a lot of cute things there and have added some new areas for children to play in.

We ate lunch up at the old Huntsman Hotel and witnessed a bank robbery (which by the way was so badly done that Blake and I thought it was just a dress rehearsal. Like the first dress rehearsal.) Anyhoo, all in all it was a really fun day.

Blake even treated me to Mexican food. After we got home, a few family members came over for pie and ice cream. Pretty low key, epecially compared to last year's big surprise bash. I had a really fun day and am now officially in my thirties. Yeah!

My little graduate

Graduation season is here, and our house is not immune to the frenzy of the end of the school year. Ainsley graduated from Miss Cindi's and is ready to move on with her life. She had such a great time learning there and she loved her classmates and Miss Cindi so much.

Her program was fun to watch and she was singing louder than all the other kids, I think. She has no stage fright and loves to have the spotlight on her.

Her favorite part, however, was the fact that her best boy friend, Dean, was there to watch it. I babysit him one day a week and this happened to be the day. She was glad Grandma, Mommy and Ty were there, but I know her performance was dedicated to Dean. Congradulations, Ains!

Ogden Half Marathon

Tyler, Laurie, Susan, Ainsley and Rita after the race.



This is the third time I have run this course, and I still loved it. My cousin, Laurie, ran the half as well. She came up with her family from South Jordan and spent the night. We had a fun night and got to bed a lot later than we wanted. We also didn't sleep as soundly a we had hoped to. 4:00 a.m. came pretty early and we were off to catch the bus in Ogden to the starting line in Eden. My running partner and friend, Rita, drove and we got to the buses with no problem. We waited at the starting line for about an hour and finally the gun sounded. It was a really pretty day from the start. The weather was perfect and the aid stations along the way were plentiful (although they didn't have any vaseline...yikes!) I ran with Rita and her husband, Brent. We did really well, considering the training (or lack of). I finished a little over 2:08. Not my PR, but I'll try to break that next time. I just wanted to thank my sweet husband for bringing the kids to see me finish. Also, my ma and pa came to support me. Thanks for making it a great day.
After the race, the kids rode a rigshaw to the parking lot. They had a really fun time and the guy on the bike was so cute to them.

Blake and Jefferson took the kids home on the frontrunner while Laurie and I took the car home, since we couldn't all fit. They had a really good day and we were sad they had to go home.

9 long years

Today is our 9th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been so long, but it has gone by so fast. Here are some points of interest of our marriage:

1999 May 12: We were sealed in the Bountiful Temple and honeymooned in Orlando

2000 Jan: Susan had major surgery; Summer: Blake got to see the beautiful state of Oklahoma for the first time.

2001 Feb: we adopted our naughty dog Dolly; May: Blake graduated from Weber State with his Bachelors in Arts; June: Blake got his first "grown-up" job; September: Susan left Layton Hills Mall and went to the U (both for school and work). I know, I don't know what I was thinking!

2002 Feb: We found out we were pregnant at last!; Oct: Our sweet baby girl was born

2003 Summer: Susan and Ainsley went on a long road trip with her parents and brother to Indiana - swore she would never do that again.

2004 May: Found out we were pregnant on our 5th anniversary while visiting Susan's sister in Colorado.

2005 January: Our adorable baby boy was born.; Summer: Susan went on another incredibly long road trip to West Virginia via Indiana with Susan's parents, both kids, and two nieces (really, really vowing to never do that again) August: Blake completes his MBA at the U of U!!!

2006 May: We sell the mobile home (NEVER, NEVER buy a mobile home.....I don't care what anyone tells you!!!!) July 24: Susan completes a marathon; August: We buy our first home in a GREAT nieghborhood, and even more important, a WONDERFUL ward.

2007 We are house poor and scraping by. Susan attempts to work part time, but hates it. We have some great times with friends bbqing and such throughout the summer.

2008 March: Blake gets a new job and we are estatic. We celebrate by going to Disneyland.
Well, that's it. I just want to say what a great husband I have. He puts up with my moods and is always a support to me. I take him for granted way too much and I want everyone to know that I love him. I am so lucky to have him. Love you hon, happy anniversary!!!

Blog Friends Tag! I'm It.

I have been tagged to talk about my blog friends and family list. Here are the rules: 1. Answer the questions about the list of friends/family that you have on your blog. 2. If you don't have the number of that the question asks, answer the question about the next name that you have not had a question for your list. 3. Tag your friends and family.

* When did you meet the first person on your list? I met Abby a few years ago. She is my hair miracle worker. She is amazing at what she does and I am lucky to have found her. Other than being a hair magician, she is hilarious. I love being able to talk to her because she always makes me laugh. She is a mother of three (which include twins) and she is still sane! She is an expert blogger and I am so jealous of how cute her blog page looks.

*What do you like about the third person on your lists blog? I love, love, love that it's always so entertaining to read Chip and Lindsey's blog. They have the best senses of humor. For a while, Lindsey was writing a mini novel (whatever happened to that, chica?) and had me wanting more and more. I also love to see all the cute new pictures os Abby and Joe.

*What do you like best about the 6th and 7th people on your list? Well, Dave and Shar are okay, I guess. No really, they are probably the most amazing couple I have ever known. Dave is hardworking, loving and kind. Shar is an INCREDIBLE wife, mother and person. We really admire them for the way they deal with adversity and their fun-loving natures. We love to hang with them whenever possible and wish we could live closer.

Erin and Brian are so fun to hang out with. Whether not we will ever be able to get together again is questionable. Quit moving so far away from us guys! Erin is Susan's cousin and both of our husbands went to the Phillippines on their missions, so they have that bond. They have two cute boys.

* How long have you known the 8th person on your list? We have known Mandy and Keith for 2 1/2 years. I first met Mandy in our old ward after she started a running group. The group fizzled out, but we kept running together and we became really good friends. She made me (if that is at all possible) run a marathon with her and we will always have that precious memory, huh, Mandy. She is one of the busiest people I know. She is so creative, ambitious and hardworking. She is the mother of 3 boys with another on the way. Hurry up and have that baby so we can start running together again! I'm sure that is the last thing on her mind right now.

*What impresses you about the 11th and 22nd person on your list? Well, since I don't have anywhere near 22 people on my list, I'll do the 11th and 2nd people. 11th is Wende. I really miss you, by the way. I was always so impressed by her willpower. She always seemed to decide what she wanted and she didn't give up until she accomplished her goals. I know that she is a great mother to her darling and scrumptious daughter. She is also very kind. Writing this makes me realize how much I miss you, Wende :)
The 2nd person on my list is Becca and Lee. Now, they are impressive merely for the fact that they managed to have children while Lee was seperated early in their marriage due to military deployments. Also, they live in student housing up at Utah State with three kids! Becca is one of those people that get the job done. Period. She takes action and whatever she does, she does well. We were in the same sorority at Weber and she was a bit shy. But there were a few occasions (you know when, huh Becca?) that she let loose and surprised everyone.

*What memory do you share with the 17th person on your list? Once again, I don't have that many people on my list so I move to #4. I attended the same ward in Oklahoma with my friend, Chris. Actually, we didn't become friends until he started to date one of my friends. There are a lot of good memories I have of Chris. He went on a mission to Italy. He was "dear johned" by my friend, but we kept in touch. We got married within 2 days of eachother and I took their engagment pictures at Temple Square. He is in the military now and has four kids (two of them being newborn twins). He is also a cancer survivor and was always and amazing friend to me. He stuck with me through a hard time in my life, and for that I will always be indebted to him.

*Say something nice about the last person on your list. Well, I already did, so I'll do the second to last person, Stacy and Joe. Stacy and I were also in Sharmea together at Weber. Stacy is what I aspire to be. She is steady, down to earth, spontaneous, a planner (yes, the two can co-exsist, apparently), an outstanding mom to her four kids (congratulations, again, Stac). I love to hang out with her because she has this calmness to her. She has her head on right and knows what to do to make life fun and fulfilling for her family. Joe is great to talk to. He is funny and silly and a really nice person to be around. We need to come down and hang out this summer, guys!

Well, I guess this is the part where I say everyone I talked about is tagged! I look forward to reading your blogs!

MIA

Wow, it's been a while since the last post. We have been busy spending our tax return money on improving the house. First we had central air installed (something I have been wanting since we got married). I cannot wait for summer and Blake is excited not to have to get up on the roof to get the swamp cooler ready for summer. Next, we are updating our family room with new paint, new carpet, crown molding and such. Right now I have been painting like mad so it has time to dry before the carpet is installed. Next we are going to put laminate on the stairs and the hallway upstairs. After that we are ripping apart our master bath and putting in new everything (tile, toilet, vanity, fixtures). Following that, we will finally replace the toilet in the kids bathroom that oddly enough was the first thing that we needed to do on our list. Funny how that goes. Blake always gets a worried look in his eyes when I start looking around the house for something to update. Our house was built in the late 80's and I think that was the last time anything was updated, save the kitchen floor, which was tiled shortly before we bought it. Therefore, everything literally needs to be updated. It's fun to get started finally. It makes me feel good to put our touches into the house. For a long time, it felt like we had all our stuff set up in someone's house; just pretending we lived there. Anyhoo, before and after pictures of our projects will be posted as they are completed.

Baby Joe

I haven't posted about Baby Joe yet.....now I have pictures. We have a new nephew, Joseph John. He was born on Febraury 2nd to Chip and Lindsey. He is adorable!!! I can't get over how small he is and it is so fun to sit and cuddle him.

Ainsley took him and was in awe. She loves to give him little kisses on his head.

Easter Egg Hunt

On the Saturday before Easter, Grandma Stratton had all the little grandkids over for an Easter Egg hunt and dinner. They all have a great time when they get together and they were so excited to get out into the backyard for the hunt. Here they are waiting by the back door to go. The Uncles hid the eggs and were creative in doing so. When there was not candy in the eggs, they put dirt in them. I don't think the kids really appreciated that, even though it was hilarious to watch them open the dirt filled egss and look up in confusion and disgust.

Abby

Bryson

Brooklyn

Ty and Ainsley