Looking Back...December 2008-early June 2009

Well, it has been many months, six in fact, since my last post and it wasn't even about my child. lol. Many things have happened that I haven't acknowledged here so here come the bullets.

• Drive: MD to UT- My Dad flew into BWI 2 days before the drive started. We loaded up our storage unit. Gave away some things and started driving a day later than planned. We stopped in Munford, TN at my cousin Kelly's on our way to OK. Spent the evening of December 23rd sleeping there. Christmas Eve we took some Family Photos for them then drove the last 6 hours into Tulsa, OK. We spent Christmas Day and two days more there then continued our drive west, with Kev and I in the Buick and my Dad and Nicole in the minivan. For the first time we took I-40 west thru Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Things I remember...1) It was POURING down rain as we were leaving Tulsa. A Semi went plowing down the highway past us and we couldn't see ANYTHING! But we did get out of there safely. 2) We paralleled Route 66 thru Texas and saw "Cadillac Ranch" south of the Interstate. I would've liked to have stopped had I made the connection sooner. 3) I experienced the coldest temperatures of my life driving thru the mountains of New Mexico, -2 F. 4) Sleeping at a motel ON Route 66. 5) Stopping alongside a highway and having Leah take pictures with me of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon off in the distance. She really enjoyed that :) I even let her use my Camera taking shots while we drove thru Northern Arizona on our way to the Utah border. 6) Stopping in St. George for In-n-Out Burger. yum. YUM! 7) Getting into Cedar Hills, UT around 2am.
  
• Moving into and living in Ogden, UT- We quickly found a place, a split-level 3bdrm, 2 bath, 2 car garage, single family home all inclusive rent for $1100/month. An absolute bargain especially considering what we've been paying in Maryland for years. It was great finding a home and being in our own space. A negative we discovered early on was not having a fenced in backyard. I couldn't let the kids go outside to play unless I was watching. I just wasn't comfortable leaving them unattended. Rightfully so because Owen 'escaped' on more than one occasion and was then found 5 houses down. Several times a month we would get together with my Aunt, Uncle, Cousins and their kids for dinner. I love having lots of people around to eat my food.
  
• Leah's Utah school experience-Leah was in AM Kindergarten so she could take the bus to and from School. I was not impressed with the school she was at and had a very difficult time getting connected with ANY one there. Her teacher, the school secretary, anybody. When I registered her I mentioned that she had come from a full-day Kindergarten. The secretary registering her mentioned that they had 1 full-day class but Leah had missed the lottery draw the spring before and the class was full. So into Mrs. Cravens AM class she went and became 1 of 32 students in a 2.5 hour long class. She never came close to studying at the same level out there that she accomplished in her first 3.5 months of Kindergarten in MD. At the end of the school year Leah was invited to test into the Ogden School Districts "Accelerated Learning Academy" for grades 1st-8th. She spent 3 days out of class testing at another school. Right before we left Utah we found out she had been accepted into the Program. From what I learned of that school I know she would've enjoyed it.
• Our Weekends in Utah- Friday-Sunday we were living in Cedar Hills with the Rowburys. Hanging out with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncles, Aunts and Friends. Cramming as much Family Time into those days as possible.
• Get-Away- In January we had a 3-day weekend, so Kevin and I escaped to St. George while LMO were having fun with Gma and Gpa. We stayed 2 nights at the fabulous Green Gate Village Inn. We stayed in the Christmas Cottage. AMAZING! The Breakfast on Sunday...delicious. They had a baked apple that was too DIE for! I got to do what I love, take pictures all weekend long. Of course we also ate In-n-Out Burger. :) It was a much needed break. Come to think of it we could use another. :) Any sitters?
  
• Draper Temple Open House- We attended twice, once with the Rowbury's and once with the Karoly's. It was a special experience to share with my kiddos. Especially Leah and Mason. Leah really felt the Spirit confirming to her that Temples are the House of the Lord and she and Mason both can't wait to be old enough to perform baptisms for the dead.
  
• Too Much Excitement- In February, while at the Temple Open House with the Karoly's, we had our house broken into and our 3 week old computer, case of 100s of DVDs & CDs, and our Xbox all stolen. Nothing has been recovered. very lame. moving on. Luckily our External Hard Drive was left behind. :)
• February- My family was in town. :) I got to have them all hang out at my place, including my brother and sister-in-law that live in Provo. It was Valentines Day weekend. It snowed 16" overnight. The girls went clothes shopping in the morning, came back with some FANTASTIC buys and had a snow ball fight with everybody. The single sisters and brother watched the kiddos so the married ones could go out for V-day. Kev and I doubled with my folks at Texas Roadhouse. Sunday we took a family picture and prepared for a massive family dinner with my Dad and Mom's extended family and friends in Utah. We ended up feeding 53 people Tacos and Cookies in my modest home. All had fun! :)
  
• Family Wedding: Nathan and Scarlett- Kevin's 2nd Brother, Nathan, got engaged and married in the time we were in Utah. I got to do there Engagement Photos, Wedding Photos, and Flowers. It was busy and because we were there we went to California for an Open House out there.
• California Trip- Leah flew to California the day after the wedding with Gma Phipps. They love spending time together and wanted some time alone. Leah got to go shopping with Gma and rafting down the American River with Kev's Uncle Mark and his boys. Leah had a BLAST! I'm jealous of her because even though I grew up visiting the River I've never had that opportunity. I drove out by myself with the Mason & Owen following behind Kev's parents. We spent time at Gma Phipps' place in Shingle Springs, went to the Open House, took more pictures, an afternoon with my Gpa and Gma Karoly, an hour with my Gma Graham, an afternoon in Rocklin with cousins and a few days with my Aunt Mary & Uncle Danny in Galt (my second parents home). We took the kids to Rancho Seco Lake for an afternoon. Owen nearly drowned, but he still kept testing his boundaries on how far he could go out into the water afterward. Scarier for me than him apparently. While staying in Galt I met up with an old friend, Julie Roope, and her 2 y.o. son at Funderland in William Land Park. It is a ticket based ride park, but we got an all day pass and rode all the open rides at least once. Owen loved the fast "Dragon Coaster" and we went on it 3 times in a row. Lots of fun! We hung out in Galt till the day after the Hamm Boys showed up. (They are my cousin Kelly's 3 boys...all are about the same age as my kids. They call Leah "the Princess".) We stop at their place in Tennessee all the time. Their Momma, Kelly, is Mary & Danny's daughter. I've spoken of Kelly often, but maybe I should do some "Flashback Friday"s involving her and I. I drove home with Kevin's 15 yo brother, Ethan, as a helper managing the kids. I must note that we ate at In-n-Out burger at least 3 times during that trip and it is the ONLY hamburger/cheeseburger that my kids will eat. :) They have excellent taste. :)

If you made it thru that "CONGRATULATIONS!!!" I'll have to finish up another time...June-October coming soon.

Happy Birthday Josh!

Yesterday we celebrated my nephews 1st Birthday. On Sunday I took hundreds of pictures of him in an attempt to have the PERFECT 1 year old picture. Well, I believe I've got some GREAT images and wanted to share them. We'll have to wait till later today for the present, cake and ice cream pictures...my camera is still in the trunk of Kev's rental that he drove to work this morning.


Isn't he a cute kid? So intense. He observes everything and takes everything in. He takes a little while to adjust to new surroundings, but he did a fantastic job of rolling with the ups and downs of Sunday. He is my very first nephew/niece. Because of him I am an Aunt and I just love getting to be with him. ;) He warms up to Kevin quickly every time we see him. Leah LOVES having a cousin and being able to follow him around and show him how to have fun.

What can I say? We love that kid!

10,000th Image on my Rebel Xti

On Sunday, April 5th, between the Conference sessions I went into my in-laws backyard and took pictures of kiddos and all who were "stretching their legs". During that unwinding time I hit my 10,000 image on file in my camera. The image in question is of my brother Joshua's left foot covered in sand from the sand box.

My image straight from the camera...


My Image enhanced with the Topaz Add-on for Photoshop...



What a dirty foot!?!

I, I, I...

I am - a wife, a mother, a sister and friend.

I want - to finish knitting the sweater I started for Leah BEFORE we leave for UTah.

I hear - Mason laughing at Dragon Tales and smacking on Popcorn. (Yes, smacking--while snacking.)

I never - want to live without my husband.

I wonder - where we'll be in two years.

I always - wash behind the ears.

I usually - start new projects before finishing old ones. Not a good habit. One I am trying to keep my kids from developing.

I search - for the perfect recipe, for everything, and then I DON'T follow the recipe exactly. I find I ALWAYS change a recipe even the first time making it. :)

I am not - a challenger. I'd rather not have a confrontation, but sometimes...sometimes people make me so...so...ANGRY! Especially a certain Disney Store in the Arundel Mills Mall.

I dance - but not as much as I should. I have a classic moment involving Leah. An old friend of ours told Leah that her mommy (me) is a wonderful dancer. Leah looked at this friend as if she were crazy and said, "My mommy can't dance!" Leah has since been shown a number of tapes exhibiting her mommy's said dancing talent.

I sing - my children Hymns at night-night especially on the nights that things are the craziest.

I wish - I could wiggle my nose and have my "list" completed.

I dislike - making phone calls to any one I am not related to, and sometimes even relatives, sorry guys.

I rarely - cry.

I cry - not often enough. At least that is what some family members have told me.

I am not always - patient

I lose - hair daily. Wads of it come out every time I brush or wash my hair.

I fear - for the safety and security of my family.

I'm confused - need I say more?

I need - to pack, pack, pack.

I should - be making dinner, helping Leah with homework and keeping better tabs on the activities of my children. hm...what is that sound? ah, well it can wait I'm nearly done.

I dream - of one day permanently living in a single-family home with a yard close to family.

I have - a wonderful family who love me, pray for me and offer any support they can give.

I love - my best friend (Kevin), my children, to talk on the phone to my mom, Sunsets on the beach, swinging in a hammock with a good book in good weather, and being able to live each and every day I have.

I tag - YOU! please???

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Meeting the Challenges of Today", BYU Devotional, 10 Oct 1978

Prophetic Counsel...

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters -- in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions (see 1 Kgs 18:21).

"President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' (CR, Apr 1941) This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ…

"Your discipleship may see the time come when religious convictions are heavily discounted. M. J. Sobran observed, 'A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it' (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, p. 58). This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain of people's opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will soon be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened…

"Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even these, however, must leave a record so that the choices before the people are clear and let others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, that others will step forward, having been rallied to righteousness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds--a majority which was, till then, unconscious of itself.

"Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves 'summer is nigh' (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Meeting the Challenges of Today", BYU Devotional, 10 Oct 1978

Flashback Friday

Sorry, no pictures to go with this post today. We are having computer issues right now. Major drama for a mama with over 20GB of photos that haven't yet been backed up. scary...

10 years ago, yes 10! Kevin was a Freshman at BYU finishing up his Fall semester and waiting for his mission call. (It took 5 weeks for that to show up, but that is another tale for another day.) I was in California attending High School and counting down the days to when Kevin would be home for Christmas Break. Kevin and I were inseparable for 3 years to have him gone for months on end was difficult, but we always said it was good training for his mission. ;)

While I was counting down the days, going to school, working as a Assistant Director in a performing group and preparing for our Christmas performance Kevin was up to something entirely different. In his free moments during the day he was writing me a song for Christmas. Lyrics, accompaniment the whole sh-BANG! I feel I must note that although Kevin had taken piano lessons from the age of 8, playing the piano was more a work of perseverance than a great accomplishment. (Does that make sense? He can read music and play, however, it is always after much practice.)

I wish I knew how, or had the capability, to save a tape track on the computer. So you, dear readers, could hear the tune that goes with these words. Alas, I am unable, therefore you must just read these words and think of a much younger Kevin sitting at a piano and performing this for me. At my request he sang this to me at our Wedding Reception, now THAT is love. :)

"I Can't Stop Loving You"
by Kevin Rowbury
November 1998

Today I thought of you,
Good times together spent.
Our life, our love, our laughter,
No matter where we went.

You are my love, my life,
And that I won't deny.
You are my other half you know,
And now I'll tell you why.

Chorus:
Hand-in-hand we walked,
Lovingly we talked.
Our best times were together,
I've oft'thought of forever.

You are my best-est friend,
Our friendship has no end.
Oh, everything is true,
I can't stop loving you!

Last night I had a dream.
It was about a kiss.
For her, the one I love,
The one I surely miss.

Sure it was just a dream.
But to me it was so real.
Your lips pressed close to mine,
Something I've longed to feel!

Chorus:
Hand-in-hand we walked,
Lovingly we talked.
Our best times were together,
I've oft'thought of forever.

You are my best-est friend,
Our friendship has no end.
A moment of pure bliss,
That dream about a kiss!

Oh, everything is true,
I can't stop loving you!

Back to it

First things first. Kevin applied for a 6-month TDY to Ohio back at the beginning of September, and we've been planning on him going their come January since July. However, on Friday October 3rd, Kevin received an email at work asking for those interested in a 6-month TDY to UTAH to apply, by the end of business that day. Well of course he DID! And last Wednesday he heard back. WE ARE GOING TO UTAH!!! TO WORK!!! FOR 6 MONTHS!!! STARTING in JANUARY!!! We're pretty excited. The to-do list has extended and this week we MUST give our 60-day Notice to our Apartment complex. I just realized that MUST be done TODAY! That's our exciting news. Yea!

Leah and school. She is loving school. A couple of weeks back she started receiving homework packets. The packet contains all the assignments for the entire week. Each Monday she comes home with it and finishes it THAT day. She loves to learn and is seeming to do exceedingly well. According to her teacher they are not concerned with her ability to "keep up". Apparently she is always going the extra-mile on her assignments writing out words that describe the picture. For example, October 6th she had a field trip with her class to the Farm and Kevin went along as a chaperone. Before they left the children were coloring pages with apples on them and Leah had to write the word "apple" on her page. She wasn't asked to she just wants to know. It makes me so happy to see her desire to know everything. Although it can be a challenge for me to keep up with her bombardment of questions I hope she never stops asking.

Mason. He is finally potty-trained. HIP-HIP-HOORAY!!! With Mom and Heather in town I figured we had enough help to make sure that he got to a potty. We are still having accidents, sometimes at night and sometimes during the day, but there will be NO regression to diapers. Already him being potty-trained is saving us money, fewer diapers to go through and buy. Today Owen decided he wanted to use the potty and has refused diapers. He has had 2 accidents and no pee has made it into the potty, but I think he is realizing what it means to USE said potty. We'll keep at it. Mason is doing a preschool program called "Joyschool" with 4 other boys his age and he is loving it. We switch of teaching and hosting, and next week is my first time teaching. I should probably look over those lessons...

Owen. We celebrated his 2nd birthday last Monday, Columbus Day, with kids his age at a park. My Mom was here and Kevin didn't have to work that day (federal holiday). There was a good turn out of kids and it was a beautiful Indian Summer day, "sunny with a high of 75". Friday we celebrated again with Nicole and me taking the kids to a farm then, after Kevin was off work, out to dinner at Applebee's, using coupons at both places the kids had earned by finishing the Libraries summer reading program. This was all followed up on Sunday (his actual birthday) with a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

He is getting so big. He is eating and drinking constantly these days and has entered into 3T Clothing. Because he has his Daddy's short legs he wears 2T pants, but I suspect by next summer he'll start wearing 3s.

Projects. I have Leah's Halloween costume to finish up. She will be Jessie from Toy Story 2, we have a hat and wig, I am sewing up her cow print spats and adorning a white shirt with cuffs and a lapel. Mason and Owen's costumes were purchased entirely from the Disney Store, no sewing necessary. :) Nicole cut fleece for a new blanket for Owen which she would like my help with. :) I have started to knit a Wallaby sweater for Leah, it is a new endeavor and I am having a lot of fun. It will have a pocket and hood when I'm done, it is nearly ready to add the pocket to the front. :) With us moving in about 60 days I am going through closets, clothes, toys, boxes, EVERYTHING and trying to weed more things from our lives and simplify.