Let's play Us!!

Some of our friends invited the girls and I over for a play date with the Wii. I had heard rumors of how fun it is for quite some time, but this was our first experience. We had a blast. Jaya really got into the boxing and I discovered some things about myself.

#1 - I think that playing the Wii is real. ie., when boxing, I was literally dodging, jabbing, and punching. This was all done when playing the computer. When my friend joined in to box me, she was just moving the remote (not the rest of her body) and was beating me to a pulp. I tried to do as she did, with just flicking my wrist, but to no avail. I then insisted that she is cheating when she's not "really boxing", She's like "you want to really box?" (Wii style of course) I never should have taunted her, I was down in like 3 seconds!!

#2 - I have a hard time just watching Jaya play. I want to do it for her. I get all tense watching her, and you will often hear me saying "Go, go, get 'em, hurry!!!" What am I going to be like when it's real sports?

On Friday our friend invited us over as a family to play. As we were getting ready, Jaya kept telling Darrin she couldn't wait to go to Jodi's because they got to play the game "us". Darrin didn't understand, and said what game? She was like "You know, the game us!" Darrin still didn't get it, and was like "I don't know that game." Jaya's said "Yes you do, where you box...the game us!" It clicked he said "Oh, you mean the Wii?" She insisted, "It's called an Us, dad!"

I think I should copyright that before Playstation gets it.

My Real Life Love Story

I've been tagged by Johanna, so here are some "early days" facts (most of you probably already know!)

1) Where did you and your husband meet? The first time Darrin and I actually met was when I was 14 and he was 17. We met at a Stake Dance. He remembers telling his friends "If she were older, I would date her." We do remember dancing, but it wasn't monumental enough because that was as far as it went till after his mission. Then we met during Winter Break at the Singles Branch. Darrin came over and said "You look familiar, do I know you from somewhere?" He seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn't figure out from where. After telling him my name, he realized it was from the Stake Dances. We chit-chatted, he was about to start his first semester at UVSC, and I was about to go back for my second semester at Weber State. That was it, we parted ways, and then things really picked up when we both came home for the Summer.

2) First thing said? Maybe..."Would you like to dance?"

3) First date? Our first date was the Summer of 1999, in Grand Junction. He called to invite me to a movie. I was so excited I rushed to jump in the shower. As I was showering he realized plans had changed and he called back to cancel. My sister answered the phone, and told him how excited I was. She told him everything (not that there was much to tell we had just barely met, but she did tell him I was so excited to go out with him). He now says that helped things progress, because he knew I liked him and so he felt more confident about pursuing me. Thanks Sis! So because he canceled we went out a few days later, to the Rodeo. There was a group of us there. We were visiting so much, that we were actually SHUSHED by a parent that had attended. I remember thinking "I didn't know you had to be quiet at a rodeo!"

4) First Kiss? Our first kiss was really awkward. Darrin was a slow mover (maybe it's a GJ guy thing!). He had set a personal goal that he didn't want to kiss the next girl he dated till there was a good friendship foundation first. I was fine with that, my parents on the other hand would ask me after every date if he had kissed me yet! So finally we had been dating over a month when we went to the Manti Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah. Sometime in the middle of the Pageant, I knew he wanted to kiss. He just kept leaning in and then backing away. I started laughing, just as he really did go for the kill and we totally clashed teeth! (Johanna, I was so happy to read this happened to you too!) The 2nd kiss was much better, no teeth involved.

5) When where "I Love You's" first said? Another awkward story...I had been feeling like I wanted to tell him, but not sure where he was at with the whole I love you thing. So I kept waiting. Well one night we were watching a movie and he was like "I love you..." before he could get another word out I rushed into say "I love you too!" then he finished his sentence (which I didn't know had a finish) by saying "At least I think I do, I don't really know." I was mortified, then I switched quickly to the defense and said "I know I love you, whether you love me or not!" A few days later, he told me that he did know, and he did love me. Whewww, I was glad to get that over with.

6) Long or short courtship/engagement? Start to finish 6 months. We dated for 4 months, engaged for two months. I don't know if we would have lasted another week of engagement (that was rough!)

7) Where did you get engaged? I was living in Ogden, Utah. He was living in Provo. We would often see each other on the weekends. The weekend we had set up to go ring shopping he came up. Unknown to me he had already picked out and bought the ring. So he came up (it was the night before my birthday) and we went out. We saw a movie, and then he gave me my present (A Dixie Chicks CD). On our drove home we decided to drive past the Bountiful Temple. We got out and started walking around the gates, because it was locked up. To pass the time Darrin asked if I wanted to play a game. I said sure. He said it's the "Yes Game" the rules were, everything he asked me I had to say yes too. I have to insert, I was CONVINCED he was NOT proposing, so I easily fell into his trap. He asked if he could step closer to me...Yes. Asked if he could put his arms around me...Yes (while giggling). He asked if he could lean his head close in...Yes. He asked if he could move his lips...Yes (this seemed to be a lot of work for a kiss) Then he did that thing that kids do when they want to make a funny sound with their lips, by moving their finger quickly over their lips (do you know what I am talking about?) Anyway, I was like you are crazy, pushed him away and started walking. Then I heard him say "No but really, can I get down on one knee...Yes (very confused, then mad, because I figured he was joking again.) He pulled out a box, opened it up and said "Will you marry me?" I was so shocked, I screamed Yes!! Right then a car drove by and honked, perfect timing!

8) Where did you get married? In the Bountiful Temple. December 16, 1999. It was a cold day, but I didn't even notice.

9) Where did you go on your honeymoon? We waited till the Summer, and then we went to Las Vegas for a couple of nights. We now know this was a really silly idea, 1-being a Mormon couple and 2-I was only 20, so they wouldn't even let me on the gambling floor! 3-Las Vegas in August is never a great idea (way too hot!) For the the rest of the week we went to his parents cabin. This was so nice. So relaxing. Probably one of our best just Darrin & I trips to date.

10) Where did you make your first home? Our first home was a little 1 bedroom apartment in Provo. We lived on the top floor, and the lady on the bottom controlled the heat. So it was BLISTERING hot, even in the Winter, we had to keep the windows open.

I just have to add a little plug. I NEVER knew marriage would be so good. I was excited to get married, but it has exceeded my expectations. Darrin is my bestfriend, and still so much fun to be around, all this is said 8 years and 3 girls later, and I am still loving him!

Happy Half-Birthday

When I found out I was expecting our 2nd daughter, I thought I had planned the timing really well and would be avoiding a December baby. (I thought I would be due in January) I've never really gotten the whole (it's really 10 months) and therefore I can never really figure out my due dates before I am pregnant. Which was the case this time also. After I had a positive test, I did the due date calculator on the computer and it gave me the due date of December 27th! I was shocked, not only had I not hit January I was right by Christmas.

She ended up coming December 22nd and therefore we adopted the idea of a half birthday. It's a very confusing concept for most, and I get many questions ie. So what do you do on her real birthday? Do the rest of your children get half birthdays? So how old is she really? For all of you out there with similar questions this is how it works.

On her half birthday she has a PARTY - cake & ice cream, presents, songs, family & friends. She is now 3 1/2 (which she makes very clear if you ask). And no, none of the other girls get this. (I know I'm mean!)

On her real birthday we acknowledge it. She will turn 4, and we go out for a fun activity (last year the pet shop). There can be cake and ice cream, but it's usually just our little family. People do call and send cards, but we don't get her any presents.

I have LOVED this concept, and so far it's really worked out. So this year for her PARTY we went to my parents and had a little pool party.

Here's to my new 3 1/2 year old!!

On Dad's Watch

I have to start off with a confession, once I start weeding I get obsessed. I know this about myself and so I often won't go near the yard if I don't have a good hour (at least) to weed. Seriously, I have had my children say (on numerous occasion) "Mom, will you please stop weeding and make us some lunch!" Or the best was when the neighbor boy was over, and he was like "what is your mom doing?" and Jaya was like "(sigh) she's weeding...she'll be there for a looong time." So as for our yard a few weeks ago I got it into my head that all the clover patches needed to be pulled out of the yard. Several people told me to just leave them, because at least they are green. But they just bugged me, that had to be removed. What I found out though was quite surprising. Under the clovers there was no grass! So now, we have a small patch of mud in the backyard, that I have to re-seed.
Saturday Darrin had all the girls in the backyard as he was working around the yard. I was finishing up some stuff in the house when I headed for the backdoor. As I got there Darrin met me and said, "you have to see something really funny, but you're not going to like it."
Our little Eden had taken full advantage of my obsession and found her own little playground. I did give Darrin "The Look" (which means, why oh why!) then ran for the camera.

Middle Child Syndrome

Since the birth of my first child, I feel like I have focused on her so much. Even when I had our second daughter, it was still Jaya that was more demanding of my time. Now having three there is just no hope of any of them getting LOTS of one-on-one attention. I feel like our 2nd Baylie is the typical middle child; as in typical I mean, they do their own thing, and so you don't really pay much attention (mainly because they aren't demanding it) Does anyone else feel this? I just worry she is getting lost in the middle.


After thinking about this for some time, my solution was to put Baylie in something all by herself. I had originally thought I would do it when Jaya was in school (mainly so I could avoid the sadness from Jay that she couldn't do it too) but the Summer came, and I just kept feeling more and more I had to do something for her. Jaya has always been involved in things, and this time I wanted something just for Baylie. As I was already thinking this idea, Baylie out of the blue started asking to be put in Ballet, so we put her in gymnastics. I really don't think she is ready for Ballet and all the seriousness with that, so Darrin calls her gymnastics Ballet.


She has really done well with it, and although Jaya asks almost every time if she can do it too, it's worth it, to know that I am actively helping guide my MIDDLE child.



She looks super cute, till...Surprise, she lifts her skirt, and by the way ALL the moms did witness this, and just laughed!





I guess it's hard learning all this new stuff, I just had to laugh when I saw this picture, it seriously looks like she is so stressed!! (See...can you imagine what Ballet would have been like?)

Karate Kid? Well, almost!

Ta-da!!