tag...i'm it!

So, my sister-in-law Heidi tagged me last week and I am just now getting around to it. I also just noticed that my last entry was forever ago! I've been kind of a slacker so I'm glad I have the excuse to update my blog.

These are the rules:

List 6 quirks about yourself and then tag 6 people by leaving a message on their blog that they've been tagged.

1- I CANNOT stand a mess! My ENTIRE house has to be in order at all times. I can't even sleep if there is a single cup in my sink. Not quite sure that's a quirk, maybe it's just obsessive compulsive behavior?!

2- I can't go to sleep at night unless I have chapstick on.

3- I have a fetish with numbers. I love to memorize numbers, dates, ages, etc. It doesn't matter who it is. If I find out their birthday or phone number I will never forget it. Kind of strange when you consider the fact that I not only HATE math, but I really stink at it.

4- I always start my day with soda. Not the healthiest, I know, but I can't seem to function without it.

5- I can't stand having water near my face. Of course I clean my face, but I do it quickly and then remove my face from the running water. Being ON the water doesn't bother me that much, but the fact that it is near my face drives me crazy!

6- Every time I eat a meal I immediately follow it with something sweet. Doesn't matter how full I am, there is always room to satisfy my sweet tooth.

I tag: Lora, Melanie, April, Becky, Jaime, Tracy

A Birthday Tribute

Aaron didn't have quite the birthday I was hoping to give him, but he and I were able to celebrate a little bit together. Mom and Dad took our boys last night and I drove to Logan to meet him since he was working there yesterday and today. It was a short but fabulous getaway. We went to a restaurant called the Copper Mill and had coconut shrimp and tenderloin. To die for! Then we just spent the rest of the evening hanging out..no agenda. It was so nice and completely relaxing. Since he has scouts tonight (on his birthday) I decided to pay a little tribute to him on the blog. Most of you already know him, and to know him is to love him, so I thought I'd list the top 33 things I love about Aaron.

1. He is passionate about EVERYTHING he does. His job, being a dad, serving in the church, being a friend, and being a husband.
2. He always gives 110%.
3. He is always on time, and that actually means ten minutes early if he can help it.
4. I love to watch him put on cologne. Super cute. He waits until he's dressed and then unbottons the 2nd button and sprays it just below his neck.
5. He makes me laugh when I am cranky.
6. He is a great brother. No doubt his sisters would kiss the ground he walks on.
7. He is a great friend. He stays in touch with friends from elementary school.
8. He is the funnest Dad. The boys love to be swung over his shoulders like a frisbee landing flat on the bed.
9. He is a huge BYU fan! That's not the part I love. I love that he will give up watching it live so he won't miss important events like his boys birthday parties.
10. He always puts everything away from traveling or campouts before he does anything else.
11. He loves shoes as much as I do.
12. He is a great provider for our family. He loves his job and works hard at it. He never makes me feel guilty about being a stay at home Mom.
13. He stays very connected with people. Meeting for lunch, emails, and phone calls on a regular basis.
14. He was a great missionary. He still speaks the language well and uses it often.
15. If he says he will do it he will do it, and do a great job at it.
16. If he says he'll be there he will.
17. He is the landscaper, the gardner, the snow removal crew, and maintainence crew to make sure our house looks great to all who pass by.
18. He always calls and checks in whether home or away. I always know where he's going to be and when.
19. He is a great son. I love the way he loves both of his Moms and the way he was a best friend to his Dad.
20. I don't think there has ever been anyone who doesn't like Aaron.
21. His confidence.
22. His smile and the way his eyes light up.
23. His time management. I don't think he ever gets overwhelmed because there weren't enough hours in the day. He gets up, gets it done and then relaxes with what time is left.
24. I love how he can let me talk his ear off whenever I need.
25. I love to hold his hand. Everything in the world is in perfect harmony when I'm holding hands with my best friend.
26. The way he shows me every moment I am with him that he would do anything for me and loves me whole heartedly.
27. He is not afraid of a challenge. If he doesn't know how to do something he jumps in feet first and learns.
28. The example that he is to the youth. He does a fantastic job teaching them what they need to become great leaders.
29. The way he asks me to get him something. "Do you have that remote?"
30. He will drop anything at a moments notice to help a neighbor or a family member in need.
31. He always has to sleep at an angle with his feet uncovered. He doesn't like to have his feet constricted in the sheets.
32. How he doesn't know the lyrics to practically any song. HIS lyrics are hilarious and it always makes me smile.
33. The way our boys look up to him. They could not have a better role model and I am so glad I chose him to be their father.

*Happy birthday, baby! I hope you enjoy your special day :)

"bigger pains"

Around 4:00 am this morning I woke up to the sound of the bathroom door closing. I waited until I heard the door re open and then got up to see who was awake. Turns out it was Jackson complaining of a stomach ache. I asked him all of the routine questions. Do you have to go to the bathroom? Do you feel like your going to throw up? Are you hungry? Well, he answers no to all of them so I tell him to go ahead and lay flat, that maybe it's just a cramp. After about 30 minutes of rubbing his belly he turns to me and says, "Mom! I know what it is. It's bigger pains." I'm thinking in my mind, "what is bigger pains?" I ask him and he says, "you know, I'm getting bigger and your body hurts when it gets bigger. And when I was in the bathroom just now it looks like I grew!" Isn't that so cute? I love documenting the innocence of kids. Anyway, after about 45 minutes he finally said he was ready to go back to sleep. He woke up for school just fine. I'll have to remember to tell him that he does look a little "bigger" today :)

the bounty of the harvest!

I can't believe how domestic we were this weekend. About a month ago Aaron informed me that he wanted a pressure cooker for his birthday. I fought him on it just a little bit because I wasn't sure we would get our money's worth out of it (just so you know, they run about $250!). Anyway, I agreed that it would be in our best interest to invest in one and start building up our food storage...again. Well, it finally arrived last Wednesday and just in time, too. Our beans, tomatoes, onions and jalepeno's were ready to be picked. We started Friday and were able to get the green beans done. We took a break on Saturday for Johnny's birthay party at Boondocks (post to come later on that:) and then continued through Saturday evening until 11:00PM putting up tomatoes and salsa. CRAZY!! I can see why people opt to purchase canned goods rather then put them up themselves. It is so much work, but the reward is so great. Not only do we get to benefit from our hard work over the summer, but the taste is incredible! If you ever feel that you should purchase I pressure cooker, I highly recommend it. You won't be sorry and you won't believe the multiple uses it has. FYI...we broke into a jar of salsa last night and it was delicious! A little on the hot side, but the flavor was unbelievable! I have to admit that it's nice to see our storage shelves looking plentiful again. I just can't believe the sense of accomplishment that is felt and knowing we are the following instruction that we have been given by our leaders. It's true what they say...nothing worth having in life comes easy.

it was six years ago today...

Happy birthday, Pork Chop! It's weird to think that six years ago today I was looking at an 8lb 9oz little boy laying helpless in the NICU of American Fork Hospital. I was so worried thinking when do I get to bring him home and will he ever get unhooked from all the cables and machines that were helping make him better? Fast forward six years and it's easy to see that his personality is the same today as it was when he was born.....determined! And if you know Johnny, that is exactly what he is. What a great day we had celebrating with our 6 year old. He got to start the day off with opening the present his brother bought for him (an Iron Man figure). We told him he would have to wait until later to open the gift from Mom and Dad and that was torture, I'm sure! His class sang to him and all day long was referred to in class as "birthday boy." He loved it! After he came home we baked cupcakes together and waited for Jackson to get home from school. Since Aaron couldn't get out of scouts tonight we decided to meet at the Olive Garden at 4:00 and have an early dinner. Johnny loves Olive Garden, especially the fettucine alfredo, which is what he ordered. Well, the plan was 4:00 so when Aaron was late to arrive I decided to give him a call. When I checked my phone I noticed a missed message from Aaron. He texted me "I'm getting a ticket!" I couldn't believe it. A few minutes later he walks in and says that he somehow smooth talked himself right out of it. I have never met anyone with his luck. Anyway, dinner finally got under way and after a short while we headed home for a little cupcake action and the unveiling of the "gift." Johnny FINALLY got the bike he has been bugging us for all summer long. All in all I think the day was a success. I wish I could say the celebration is over, but we get to continue the celebration all through the weekend. We've got the big Boondocks party on Saturday, and the family party on Sunday. Birthday's....literally the gift that keeps on giving :) We love you, Johnny and are so grateful to have you as part of our family. Our puzzle wouldn't be complete without you!