Forever Friends

Scott and I have been blessed to have the greatest of friends as you can see by our blog list (including those who don't post!!). We have a group of friends that we have known for about 6 years, since our days in the student married ward. We try to get together once or twice a year which can be hard with everyone all spread out. A couple of our friends were going to be in ogden for one night and it just worked out with almost all of the couples to meet that night. (Missed you Whelans!!) We gathered up in Huntsville and the amazing home of our friend, Brody's parents. They were so generous to let us come up. Paige jumped on the tramp for the first time and found it fascinating. We then pulled out the slip and slide with some pretty brave kids going down it. Next was the bar-b-que with some great food. After almost 6 months of not seeing each other, we had a lot to catch up on and found ourselves talking til the early hours of the next morning. I haven't laughed that hard for a long time. It's as if we haven't been away. Thanks for such a great night (and morning) and for the wonderful friendships we share. Here are a few great pictures.

Paige being Paige!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Busy bees

Once again, it's been too long since I've posted. A lot has been going on in our lives. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with it all and then Scott reminds me to breath and maybe read a chapter or two in my Book of Mormon instead of my novels. First off was cleaning out the house day. Over labor day weekend, my aunts and mom hired a huge dumpster and went to town cleaning all of grandma's old junk out of the house. It was a four day process and filled the dump up completely. There is so much more room in the house now. I look around and realize it's now just my junk left. Now the house is officially for sale and I have to dejunk my house, pack up unused items, and depersonalize the home to make it appealing to buyers. All i've been doing is looking around me and sighing with everything that needs to be done. I just finished deep cleaning the house and pulling all of our pictures off the walls and countertops. Now it's time to pack them all up. Agh! Because of some of the dejunking, we got rid of a very old dresser that was falling apart. We then purchaced a new dresser to replace it, the down side was putting it together. No worries though. Little Paige got her tools out and helped Scott and I hammer in nails and dance in the partially completed chest. What would we do without her to help us out.


Our next big event is the celebration of our Anniversary. Scott and I have been married for 7 years. It's flown by. We were thinking back to our dating life and our engagement. We realize that it's even better between us now then it was back then. We we truly enjoy one another's company. I love Scott so much and cannot imagine anyone but him. He is a hard worker, loving (and fun) companion, he has such a great sense of humor, he loves Paige and is so patient and playful with her, and best of all is the kind and gentle way he treats me (especially when it can be so trying!!). I am greatful Scott and the seven years of marraige we've shared. I look forward to eternity with him.

The last big thing I have been going through involves my great dad. Three weeks ago, he was have such severe nausea and vomitting that I got him to come down here and see Dr. Lowe to try to find out the problem he's been having. He had an upper endoscopy with no findings so next on the list was an ultrasound to check for gall stones. Sure enough, some gall stones were there but so were some spots on the liver. Dr. Lowe sent dad right over to the hospital to have a ct. guided liver biopsy so they could get just the right spot. Sure enough, his bladder cancer had returned and was now metastasized to the liver. Never a good thing. In the space of one week and still a tone of vomitting, he was sent to a surgeon to have the gall bladder removed, to the oncologist to see what could be done for his cancer, and then off to surgery to take out the gall bladder and put in a port-a-cath for chemotherapy. As many of you know, my dad almost died on his first treatments of chemo by developing ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Disorder) which caused him to be life flighted to Ogden and spent two weeks in their ICU. You can imagine how he's feeling about repeating the chemo. Right now we wait for two months to see how the chemo is working and then we go from there. The prognosis for this kind of cancer is never good so we ask everyone out there for your prayers of quality time for my dad on this earth. Pray also for comfort to my mom because she needs it immensely. I know that seemed like a novel but I use this blog as a sort of journal so I write everything down to remember it. Thanks again for your friendships!!

Jazz playoff game!!

For Scott's birthday, (in January), we had decided to go to a playoff game if the Jazz made it. Guess what, the Jazz made it. Since Scott's finals were during the first round of finals, we held out for the second series. Who better to watch play the Jazz than the Lakers. We left right after I got off work Friday and headed down to Salt Lake. My good friend, Maren, babysat Paige for us (bless her heart)! We walked the Gateway and browsed through the golf clubs at Dick's. Then off to dinner at our regular spot, Crowne Burger. Hilary and Zeb Crofts (our Jazz buddies)ate with us and then we were off to the game. Since we were there a little early, we decided to check out all the freebies they offered. Scott wanted me to blend in so I got my very own jersey with Harpring's name on the back (ow, ow!). Sticker tatoos next along with a free photo with the Jazz in the background. We were pumped up and ready for a great game. Surprise, free t-shirts on our chairs even in the upper bowl. It couldn't get any better than that (except for the free shirt on the empty chair next to us, that Scott slipped under the chair for me just to find out that someone had stolen it from us when we came back from half time. Gall the nerve of some people :) ). Next was American Idol great David Archuleta singing the national anthem. Not many people paying attention to the anthem though. The game itself was so energizing. We were on our feet the whole game and it was suspenseful. Since we were screaming our lungs out, we shared an ice cream cone to soothe our throats. Yummy then our focus was back to the game. Scott was explaining some of the calls and some of the plays being made and I was pointing out the lady with the gold sequence top that was clear across the arena. Sometimes my focus isn't always with the game!! But the most exciting news and best part of the night, WE WON! I was so excited and jumping up and down. Thanks Scott for letting me come with you for your birthday and thanks for letting me experience my first playoff game. Awesome.

Our day together

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Now that Scott's out of school, we have a little bit of time for all three of us to play togehter. We decided to devote a major portion of the day to Paige so we planned an outing at the park. It started out with her waking up bright, happy, and ready to take the day on full force. After eating all of her breakfast (wow) and getting a fun bath, she was dressed and ready to go. But first she needed a nap. We decided that after her nap, we would pick up lunch and have a picnic in the park. She ate all of her lunch so then it was time for swings and slides. She was a little hesitant about the slides but loved the swings. We finally coerced her that she would want to leave the swings so she could see the ducks (immediately she starts quacking). We went around the corner to Beus pond and the aggressive geese came right up to us demanding to be fed. Paige took a couple of steps backwards toward Scott thinking that he's save her. But she was fascinated by all the sounds they were making and I was fascinated by how many there were. We even got to see some baby ducks.


After a couple of hours, it was off to run some brief errands, on of those involving the car wash. I have taken Paige through the car wash before and I know how absolutely terrifying it is for her, but Scott has never been nor witnessed her terror. You might think we're bad parents but we're therapeutically trying to help her overcome her fears (right!!). Then off to softball practice for Scott and I. At the practice, all she wanted to do was push her stroller. She wasn't happy when the stroller would get off the path and onto the grass. We pushed the stroller all the way around the park totaling 1/2 mile. That little girl has a lot of determination and stamina. It was a fun day spent outdoors and all together. We treasure those moments (and therefore blog about them!)

Golf!!!

My brother in law went to China and brought me back some new PING golf clubs (I know they're probably knock offs). I was so excited and met him at the airport to pick them up. They are beautiful. I kept them in my living room and would pull them out every so often to look at them and swing them a couple of times. I did take them to work and would show everyone who might be interested in them. Best of all is when Scott and I went golfing tonight so I could try out my new clubs, and I got a Par shot on a Par 3 hole in front of a group of people having a backyard party. WOW! My first Par ever. It must be the new clubs.

Mommy tag

1. Typically, what time do you wake up? About 7:30am. on the days I'm home with Paige and 5:00am on the days I work. I just look forward to naptime everyday!

2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? She is very ready for bed at 8:00pm. She practically begs for us to put her in her crib. She has always been a great little sleeper.

3. How long have you been a mommy? Four years (with Keiki)but a hands on mother for 18 months with Paige.

4. How old were you when you became a mom? 25 with Keiki and 28 with Paige.

5. What is your favorite kids T.V show? I have a few favorites. I love Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and The Wiggles, and basically all the disney morning shows (including Hannah Montana, she makes me laugh). Paige loves baby Einsteins and I tolerate it for her benefit.

6. What is your least favorite kids T.V. show? I can't stand Doodlebops. Aghhh!

7. What is your favorite chore? Love to do laudry. Like Megan, it allows me to watch TV and still feel like I'm getting stuff done. I also like to organize and regularly clean out my drawers and closet.

8. What is your favorite meal to cook? I love to cook all foods. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do. Especially with Scott being such a big helper.

9. What meal do you cook most often? Chicken fajitas and Hamburger casserole.

10. What is your kids favorite meal? Paige is sooo picky and you never know what she'll eat from one moment to the next but she loves most fruits and vegs (odd I know) and she'll do pretty good with chicken nuggets. Someday she'll wish she had eaten all the food given to her (like napping).

11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids? He chases her all over the house and just gets down and plays with her. He is so patient and loves every moment he gets to spend with her.

12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you’re being a mom? 1. Watching her personality come out. She is so diverse. 2. She makes me laugh all the time because she's so goofy. 3. How she catches on to things so quickly and imitates everything we do.(prayers, brushing teeth, putting on shoes) 4. I'm always amazed at her interactions with little kids. She does so well at the babysitter. 5. The snuggles she gives me right before bedtime and when she's sick. I love that.

13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? The aquarium. I think she'd be fascinated with the fish in the tanks and she is learning the fishy mouth!

14. When was the last time you went out without your kids? Today golfing. Called up a neighbor and went with some friends to test out my new clubs. Yeah!!

15. What is your favorite pastime/activity to do with your kids? Going on walks and being outside. I also like to read books because she sits on my lap and pretends to read with me.

16. Name one thing you said you would never say as a mother? I never wanted to raise my voice and lose my patience with her. I have already failed that and believe that it may happen in the future.

17. Name one thing you do, that your own mom did? My mom always planned out weekly meals. I now plan out my whole month so I know what to get at the grocery store.

18. What is your favorite quality your mom has? She is so supportive and always there for each of her kids. I think of her capacity to love and forgive and wish that I had some of that.

19. What is your favorite kids book? That's a hard one because I have a great love for all childrens books but if I had to pick it would be any of Audrey Woods. Great pictures and cute stories.

20. What is your favorite advice for new moms? Take time to love your kids. The cleaning can wait.

21. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? Finding out that Keiki had died and that I had to deliver him. I wanted to hold him for forever and think about the time I'll get to hold him again.

22. What is your most joyful moment being a mom? When I found out I was pregnant with Paige and when I delivered her. I just thought of our future together and who she would become.

23. When was the last time you told one of your kids, “I Love You”? I tell her all the time. Recently, just before I layed her down for bed.

24. When was the last time you were told, “I love you” by one of your kids? Paige doesn't say it yet but she gives me some great hugs sometimes and I just know that's what she's feeling!!

I now tag: Rebecca, Jenn, Jen, and Marianne