The Story about the Van

It was a good van...it served us well...until I smashed it into a concrete barrier. At least no one was hurt right? Right. Actually, after this all happen I was just full of thanks, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's what really happened ;)
I had gone up to visit my family, attend education week (for one day) with more family, and hang out with even more family. Someday I may do a post on all these things because they were wonderful. Well, Dan was getting antsy for me to be home. I had to leave him behind because of work and because we stayed so long. I promised him I'd be home on Wednesday before he got home from work. Well, when I left good 'ol Aurora it was overcast (and might have been raining, I can't remember). But the rain came down later when I was on 1-70. I was just about to the junction where you get to 1-15...about 10 miles or so from Cove Fort. It was raining really hard and as I was going over the last bridge there I hydroplaned. My car spun around and the back end passenger side hit the cement barrier. Luckily (although, I totally attribute this to saying prayer of safety) no one else was on the road. Had someone else been there they would most likely have slammed on their brakes, more hydroplaning would have ensued and injuries would have happened. Anyway...the kids started screaming (because hey, it was scary). Caden was screaming because his fruit snack flew out of his hands and he couldn't find them. Kember kept screaming at me, "Why did you do that mom!", and Cole was screaming mostly because the other two were and partly because that was not a fun way to wake up from a nap. I was able to turn the car around and pull off the bridge so I didn't hamper any oncoming traffic. After figuring out that everyone was okay, just scared I searched for my phone (lots of things went flying and it took a while to locate it) and called Dan. I didn't really know what to tell him so I just said, "I just got in a car accident." Needless to say, he didn't enjoy hearing that very much. He's two hours away and can't do anything so he tells me that he will call his parents to come help me. I protested and said that I could call them, but he basically hung up on me and I had to sit there and wait. So, I got all the kids out of their car seats and tried to calm them down by saying a thankful prayer. There were a little confused as to why we were thankful this happened, but like I said, no one was hurt, and it could have been a lot worse. A little while after that prayer Caden said he still didn't feel good and asked if we could say another prayer for comfort. Oh, I guess we should have done that. So, we did, and everyone started to calm down....for the most part. It was still raining, and I couldn't distract the kids with song or games. Kember kept complaining that she needed to go potty really bad, but since she can't just squat and go, I had no options for her. Truthfully, I had to go pretty bad too. Must be the stress and the rain, but what can you do? Anyway, both back tires had blown out completely, the back tail-light was no longer, the bumper was squished, and if you were in the car you could see outside...I'm not talking like through a window....like there was a hole type thing. Anyway, I'm sure there was more, but I'm trying to block it all from my mind. Scott and Carol Lee come to the rescue (bless them, again, prayers of thanks). They told me that I could just take their car home, but let's be honest, I didn't feel like driving anymore. Carol Lee told me she would take us all the way home, which was, I'm sure, just what she felt like doing, but I sure appreciate it. Scott tried valiantly to load the van on the back of the trailer, but with the back tires blown, and the angle of everything it didn't work. We left Scott to deal with the aftermath and we took off. It never occurred to me to call the police because no one else was involved, and no one was hurt. However, if you ever get into an accident, you are supposed to call them. Oops. Good thing Scott was around when an officer pulled up. They filled out the incident report together (and scolded Dan for letting me leave the scene...I'm glad they scolded him and not me). So, it was all good and happy. We made it to St. George with no further incident. Grandma smoothed everything over with the kids by stopping at Wendy's. And it was really good to see Dan again. We left the kids with grandma and went to the grocery store, and I broke down. I started crying and shaking, and I realized my neck hurt. I must have got a little bit of whip lash, but it's all good now. That night I couldn't sleep because I kept having nightmares about what could have happened, and how we all could have died, or someone else could have died or got hurt or whatever. It wasn't the best night I've ever had. And even though looking for a new van is no fun, I'm still really thankful for how this all turned out. See, those prayers of safety really do work! Keep saying them.

7 Years and counting

Seven years ago yesterday Dan and I were married! Has every day been bliss and wonder? No. But, I'm happier now than I ever thought I would be, and I definitely wouldn't change marrying this wonderful man. It's funny how hard marriage is...especially when you throw kids in the mix, but it's always funny just how great it is too...especially when you consciously make an effort to make it great. Take yesterday for example. Our anniversary. Dan has had plans in the making for months now. Seriously, months. For one reason or another (ahem...mostly me) those plans got scrapped and he had to keep starting from scratch. But, what he came up with was probably the best thing he could have done for me personally. First, he got up early to pick up our Bountiful Basket and stop at the store for a few things. Let's just say that this was trying because little ones, who were up extremely late the night before, were up extremely early on this morning. But, Dan persevered and made me breakfast in bed (stuffed french toast if you can believe it....ooo, it was yummy. I wasn't expecting the stuffed bit so I was pleasantly surprised). He let the kids help him, which I thought was cute. I know because I could hear everything going on while I was "sleeping". Good times. Next, we both frantically try to finish each others gifts while occupying three children who wanted to help with everything :). Now, on to our date. I had no idea what we were going to do. I know at one time we were going to go out of town for the weekend, another idea was to run to Vegas for the day, and I know that another idea was to go see a play. But like I said, all of these ideas (and others) got scrapped, so I was pretty clueless as to what was going to happen. We all load into the little Nissan (don't ask about the van, it's another post...just waiting to be typed and posted) and drive the kids to the babysitters, then Dan hands me a little book that he just finished typing. It's a Choose Your Own Adventure story that he made up for our date! How fun is that. It's actually really really impressive, and if I wasn't as lazy as I am now I would run downstairs and copy the first page for you all to read because it was really clever, thoughtful, and loads of fun. It was nice to just enjoy each other for the four hours we had the babysitter for (thanks Krystal for watching the kids!) After we picked up the kids we figured we go looking for a van. This might not have been the best idea in the world, but like I said, it's life. The kids will not be coming with us the next time we look for a van. They were just being kids, but it was a hassle and add to that the car buying experience of dealing with dealers, it wasn't the most fun I've had in my life. But it wasn't the worst either :). So anyway, the day doesn't sound like much (but that's because you weren't there), but Dan put a lot of effort into it, and it turned out better than a weekend away, or a trip to see a play.
I thought it would be fun to post some old photos of us.
This picture was taken the night he asked me to marry him. No, he didn't propose like with a ring or anything, but he told me he thought we should get married. Okay, here's the long story. The picture is on a Sunday night right before we go on a bike ride with his parents. He's kind of acting weird the whole time, but when we are done with the ride his grandparents are over visiting so I can't talk to him about it. Finally everyone goes to bed and I ask him what's up...because he just looks so....concerned. He blurts out, "I don't think we should wait to get married." I'm in complete shock because the Wednesday before while we were herding cattle he had told me that we should wait and "mature" our relationship. Whatever. Anyway, so that's where I was, and then he says that he doesn't want to wait, and the next thing I know his mom is out with the calendar and we're planning the date. My parents are still on their mission and he really didn't ask me yet, but the temple is called and we have a date. Hehehehe. A month later...we're married. Yep, long engagement. And to this day I still have to thank Scott (my father-in-law). While I changing out of my Sunday dress to go on the bike ride he asked Dan what he was waiting for. It got Dan thinking, and apparently scared him to death...and here we are 7 years later. So, thanks Scott for nudging your son in the right direction.This picture is funny to me because Dan is dying on the couch after having his adenoids and tonsils removed. We had just gotten officially (meaning, he got on his knee and gave me a ring) engaged and I went to support him through this surgery...Turns out I got sick and was throwing up in the hospital room and dying a horrible death (don't worry, I'm okay). While throwing up I could hear one of the nurses talking about how Dan must have had a hard time in surgery and the other nurse remarks, "No, that's his girlfriend". That was embarrassing. Well, it's all part of being a girl I guess. Anyway...so I like this picture because we are both just dying on the couch together. Good times...great memories.

So in 7 years we've
-finished our bachelors degree at USU
-had our first child
-moved out of state to start more schooling
-had our second child
-had our third child
-survived Vet school, and graduated
-got our first "real" job
-moved back to UT
-bought our first house
-are expecting our fourth child

Anyway, I won't bore anyone with any more pictures or memories, but I will say, "Dan, I love you. And I'm glad that you asked me to be yours forever. You are a wonderful man, husband, and father. I'm excited to look back on the next 7 years of our marriage think about all the things we've weathered together. Thanks for putting up with me, and loving me. I love you."

Stake...to eat or not to eat

We had stake conference this last weekend. It was great, and we are very thankful to Grandma and Grandpa for watching our little ones so we could go to the adult meeting. Anyway, on Sunday when the Stake President was speaking I asked my kids, "Do you know who that is?" They didn't know, so I said, "That's the Stake President." Silence. Apparently that didn't mean anything to them, but then Caden said, "Does that mean he likes steak?" Oh, uh, well no...that isn't what that means. I then tried to explain what a stake was and he got really really confused. Maybe I just should have said "yes". I mean, in all reality the Stake President probably likes to eat steak. I'll have to ask him next time I see him ;)

Wahoo!

Bring on the pink! Bring on the flowers, and headbands, and bracelets, and all that fun stuff that we've had little of over the past 3ish years. It's a girl, and we are sooo excited. Well, Kember (and parents) are excited. Caden said he wanted a brother, but is pretty content when we told him that Heavenly Father gets to choose, not us.
Now on to the naming, we we aren't that excited about it because we don't agree on anything. So, she will probably not have a middle name and her first name will probably end up starting with a "K". Sigh. Aw well.

Part II (4th of July)

Sunday was quite the day. Ginger and I were the only ones there from the Primary Presidency, but I think things went really well. Especially considering we had more visitors than regular kids (which is something because we have a good sized primary). Everyone is going to be gone again next week so I have to do Sharing Time. I'll admit, I'm a little nervous. I've done it before, but in Pullman it was 8 kids max, and the oldest was maybe 5. So it was more fun/games/crafts stuff. This one is actual senior primary and junior primary, and well...I'm intimidated. So if you have any great ideas the theme is "Jesus went about doing good". I have some ideas, but...pass any along that you so desire. Anyway...Ginger talked about freedoms (since it was the 4th of July) and had the kids make their own Title of Liberty. We came home, napped (naps on Sunday are essential) and then went over to a BB-Q at the Peltons with some of her family. We lit off a few more fireworks, and called it a happy 4th!

Monday we decided that since Dan wasn't working we needed to continue to have fun. So, the Pelton's took us hiking to see some petrogliphs. It was really really fun.
Kember is showing off the first set we came too. She insisted on wearing the crown we made for the 4th, and wore it most of the time. Sometimes, I just laugh at how girly she is. I got into an argument with Caden on Sunday about what he was wearing. Then I lectured the kids on how we need to dress up in our best on Sundays to show respect for Heavenly Father, and I made some comment on that's why I wear make-up on Sunday. Kember got really excited and ran off to apply her own. Where does she come from?Don't mind the blur...Sigh...but keep in mind that hand looking thing to the right of Caden.This is Dan explaining to anyone who will listen that the hand looking thing, and the petrogliphs were not left by the Indians, but instead were left by Aliens, as evidenced by the hand looking thing with suction cups for finger tips. Sometimes...he gets in really weird moods. No, he does not believe in Alien Conspiracy's. He's just weird sometimes. This looks like a tree to me, but according to Dan it's the hand of an Alien (actually, the better hand is in the picture with Caden). Sure sweetheart. Sure.All the kids (minus Cole, who already sat for one picture, and was done) plus the puppies. No, they aren't ours. No we aren't getting any. Did I mention we no longer have chickens? Although, today Kember asked if we could get a bird or a hamster. Sigh. The fish are still alive though.We hiked a bit further and came to a really sandy area. The kids entertained themselves by playing in the sand or jumping off really high rocks. Caden is really proud of his little castle, and got mad at me for taking the picture because it wasn't done yet. Sorry Bud.Unable to cover other people with sand, Cole did the next best thing. He dumped it on himself, over and over again, and laughed every time he did it. It was really funny, and really cute.We got done hiking (my kids did pretty well with minimal complaining. It helps to have their friends along that are little mountain goats) and headed to Ginger's parents farm to collect chicken eggs. But really the kids just played on the trampoline, and Dan admired the yard. Cole loved the freedom he had to just roam around and explore things. Then we left and got frozen yogurt at the health food store. We went home, took naps and then got ready for our dinner that night. Dan went all out with curry, macaroni pie, and stewed chicken. I made a salad and rice. Ginger brought over corn on the cob, and every one tried Caribbean food. Then we all loaded up and the Pelton's took us swimming. It was awesome. We were only there for an hour because they closed at 9 (but that's two hours after bed time anyway), but Kember was taught more swimming from her friends, and Caden got a little braver as well. Cole has no fear, which freaks me out, but he enjoyed himself until he turned blue and started to shiver. It was a very good busy day. We should do more things like that.

4th of July...3 days of fun

I'm really tired, so this probably isn't the time to do this, but if I don't do it now it won't get done and then my mom and sisters will nag me about updating my blog (hehehe, I love it, that just means they actually read it...and truth be told, I'm writing this now because Dan said, "Why don't you update your blog?" Oh, okay).Our 4th of July started on the 3rd. It was awesome. I got up early (for me) and picked up a Bountiful Basket for my friend who was out of town...which got me thinking that I should probably start ordering my own. Anyway. Got home and got the kids starting on their breakfast. Do you know how long it takes to get my kids to eat things? And breakfast is the easy meal...they one they actually like...but it takes them hours! They eat, get down and do something, come back for a bite or two and then they are off again. It's annoying, but whatever. I hurried them along because the parade started at 8, and it was 7:30. For some reason (maybe it's that I really don't find great enjoyment out of parades) we always have the worst luck at parades. We never sit in the right spot and my kids never get candy thrown at them. This year we were at the very end of the parade (didn't know that till after it was over) and on the opposite corner from where the entries turned to be done. So if they actually had stuff left they started to turn before they got to my kids. Caden asked me why no one would throw him any candy. Oops...sorry bud. Maybe next year we'll sit at the start of the parade. And just randomly...What happened to floats? Really...I think there was only one float in this parade. I'm not so into cars, so that does nothing for me, but it would enjoy seeing a nicely done up float. Are they really expensive? They aren't that hard to make. But I digress again. After the parade was over I decided we were going to have our own. So we ran to the dollar store to pick up some stuff for the days activities and also to a firework stand to get some fireworks. I had actually forgotten all about fireworks this year, but I'm glad Dan remembered and had us get some. When we got home we started to decorate the kids bikes for our own little parade (that lasted all of two minutes...but it was fun anyway).Dan decorated Cole's bike...or Cole depending on which way you look at it.Kember and Caden worked hard to decorate their own bikes. They were quite particular how they wanted things, and where they wanted things. I wanted to put loads of streamers and sparkly stuff everywhere, but they wouldn't let me. They only thing they let me do was the taping, and that's only because they can't do it.I then gave them loud noise maker thingys and we lined up to start our parade. Oh, I forgot...the kids had to run in side for Lloyd and little Lloyd to come and watch them (a large stuffed dog, and a little stuffed dog).Like I said. It lasted about two minutes until the kids were done with the parade. Next year I'll plan ahead and invite some friends over so it lasts a little longer and is more of an actual parade. But we were still ready for fun, so out came our dollar store finds and into our swimming suits we went! Water fight! But my kids style since they don't like to get wet (sigh). We used squirt bottles and water balloons, but the water balloons were mostly for either 1-throwing at mom or 2-throwing at the wall and watching them pop. Dan kindly filled them all up while we got ready. Then we all went at each other with squirt bottles. Ooo, and here's where I get frustrated with the pictures. There is this blurry spot on EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! I thought my view finder just had a finger print or something on it, but I realized (on the 5th of July) that it was my lens that had the spot on it...probably from our water fight....sigh...well, don't mind the blur. Cole had a time trying to figure things out, and mostly just squirted himself on accident (but it was sooo funny). Caden got upset if anyone squirted him, but we all did it anyway (hey, it's a water fight...what's the point? You are going to get wet). Dan attacked me, and the kids all attacked Dan to save Mom. Then they decided to "wash his hair" and Dan sat down and let the kids squirt him in the head while he tried to get Cole to squirt me, but Cole had the water bottle facing the wrong way and kept squirting himself. Good times...good times. After this it was about lunch time and quiet time so we chilled around the house until it was time to get ready for our evening activities. Kember got fun patriotic nail polish, a crown to wear in her hair, and fun hair....Caden got face paint. Cole got nothing, but in my defense, he really didn't mind one bit. We were going to go to a party that had something to do with Dan's work, but Dan got called out and didn't make it back in time. Luckily our friends made it back from their mini-vacation and called to see if we'd like to get together for fireworks. Yes, please. We played with bubbles while waiting for Dan to get home. These are a few of my favorites. And if you are wondering why the weird one of Cole is one of my favorites, it's because every time I get the camera out now, regardless of if I'm taking a picture of him or not, he gets that funny look and says, "Cheese!". It doesn't make for cute pictures, but it sure makes me laugh!

We hung out until it was dark enough for fireworks, and had fun setting them off and playing with them. The kids loved the sparklers, until they got burned by them. Sigh. Kember had a spark land on her feet (I told her to leave her shoes on) and Cole touched the hot part after the sparkler went out. Ah well...live and learn I guess.
Well, anyway, I'm too tired to finish this, so look for Part II later :) Happy 4th of July, from our family to yours!

Not too Shabby

I was able to get all of this (plus one more bag of M&M's...the kids were really patient and needed a treat)for $3.95. Not bad eh? It actually would have been better, but apparently my math skills were way, way off. The people at Rite Aid (this one at least) are normally very friendly and willing to take the time to help me fix my math skills, but there were tons of costumers today (it was more crowded than I've ever seen it) and one of the ladies was very cranky towards the cashiers so I felt really bad for them and tried to hurry through my transactions quickly...even though that still didn't go quite like I planned (hence the two bags of M&M's), but I was friendly and polite! :) So basically everything was .28 cents. Oh, and I have $1 UP reward to use on my next transaction, plus I'm getting a $3 SCR in the mail, and I have a $7.50 SCR to use.