Most of my posts are about the kids. This one is dedicated to me.
I have been having a really weird/cool/hard week.
My swamp cooler motor burned out on a 97 degree day. Patrick told me to look on KSL.com on the Free section to find a swamp cooler we could use for parts, or in entirety. I found one and was so relieved. We started making arrangements to pick it up, I needed to borrow my dads truck to put it in. We arrive to trade cars, and dad remembered that he has an old swamp cooler motor from 15 years ago that he was going to use in their old house and never did. It is still new in the box. Why does he even still have this?? I was baffled by this chain of events because I was wondering how in the world I would come up with the money to fix it. So all I had to buy was a 6.00 belt and we were in business. Patrick worked his fanny of in the 100 degree heat to get it up and running, and we are living the cool life again! Thanks doesn't begin to cover it!
I was preparing for a pampered chef party I was hosting and everything was coming together...except my yard. Patrick jumps in and mows the lawn and gets everything pretty. He even took Roxy to his house so she wouldn't be barking at everyone. This guy is amazing. He appreciates everything about me that I can't see in myself. He is patient with my children. When they are standoffish with him, he doesn't push. When the kids are ready to talk, play or hang out with him, he is more than happy to spend time with them, include them, and be silly with them. He is kind and loving. He is selfless, he does things without any thought for accolades or payback. He is a true gentleman, opens doors, waits for me to sit before he does, and he stirs up those butterflies in me that I haven't felt for a long time. I am so lucky to have him in my life!
I have been waiting patiently for my new carpet. A friend of Sierra's dad is donating the carpet and labor for free. We have the one room done and last night Chris (Sierra's dad) and the carpet man came to do the complicated stair work. All I had to do was buy the beer for the laborers. Honestly, I don't know why they would do this for me. I was full of emotion the whole time they were sweating away. When the upstairs carpet was going in, one of the guys was asking how Chris and I get along so well. I didn't know what to say..."we just do" was all I could come up with. He told me that Chris has never had one bad word to say about me. I'm sure that hasn't always been true, but it was really nice to hear. I am moved to tears by their charity.
Today I will begin a new drop off/pick up arrangement for my little kids with Eric's new wife Corilynn. This is incredibly emotional for me. They love her and she is really good to them. They all have a great family unit and I am happy for that. I know they are well taken care of when they are with Eric. Corilynn is starting a new job in Salt Lake and will commute back and forth from Mapleton, which is near Spanish Fork. So instead of Eric driving additional miles, Corilynn will pick them up and drop them off. I have been adjusting to this and am trying to just make it a matter of fact situation. But to see them drive away with their "mom away from mom" to go to their "home away from home" to be with their dad will be very difficult. I know I am their mom and nothing will change that...but it's hard to know that they don't need me when they are away from me. Heartbreaking almost.
I have so many blessings and I can't believe how beautiful my life is. The gratitude I have for my parents, kids, my sweetheart, and my "ex" families is overwhelming. I keep vacillating between extreme happiness, tears, fears, and back again. I know this is not the ideal life that I had in mind for myself back when I was 20, but turning 40 this month has made me reflect on how much I have experienced, learned, and enjoyed. Here's to my next 40 years. May they bring me even more happiness than the last!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
My amazing parents
Yesterday my parents showed up with a whole truck full of tools and ready to work. My deck was "finished" a few months ago but was never sanded or stained and needed a few tweeks to be finished properly. They worked their fannies off in the 95 degree heat while I was busy running kids all over town. They are coming back today for more abuse so we can stain the deck and get started on finishing baseboards in the house...a project from forever ago that never got finished. Thank you so much mom and dad for always going above and beyond. Oh how I love them!
Montana had 3 of her friends come and sleep over. It is always a joy to watch her being such a girl and totally at ease with her friends. They played dress up in our ridiculously abundant costume box, swam in the pool about 7 or 8 times, watched movies, and giggled all night long.
Justice has been hanging out with his friend Jordan this week. They went to the Taylorsville pool and swam for a few hours. He said he jumped off the diving board! I so wish I would have seen that! When he was taking lessons a couple years ago (or was it last summer???) he had such anxiety about that. Now he is doing it for fun!! They tried another sleepover...but he came home before the night even really got started. He has a hard time sleeping away from home. Not quite sure what that is about, but I am glad he feels comfortable telling someone he is ready to leave.
I headed up to Park City to pick up some of the drill team girls and bring them home from their dance camp. Sierra was selected as one of the top 30 dancers at the camp. Then each of those 30 girls competed for the top 5. Each of them danced a short solo to show off their abilities. Sierra did 9 pirouettes and then ended with a balance pose...this was very impressive to the judges. I had 4 people come up to me and tell me how crazy cool that was! I have seen her do this many times, I just smiled, "yep, that's my girl!" She was then chosen as one of the top 6!! They couldn't decide on just only 5. She was suffering from total dehydration and vomiting inbetween routines, needing to lay down and be fanned. I felt so bad for her. But she would get up and dance her heart out like nothing was wrong. Looks like she worked herself beyond what her body was ready for. This chica never ceases to amaze me.
Note to self: Take the freaking camera with you and take some pics!!! It's been several weeks since you bought a new camera battery charger. It works!! Try it out! And then post some pics!!
Montana had 3 of her friends come and sleep over. It is always a joy to watch her being such a girl and totally at ease with her friends. They played dress up in our ridiculously abundant costume box, swam in the pool about 7 or 8 times, watched movies, and giggled all night long.
Justice has been hanging out with his friend Jordan this week. They went to the Taylorsville pool and swam for a few hours. He said he jumped off the diving board! I so wish I would have seen that! When he was taking lessons a couple years ago (or was it last summer???) he had such anxiety about that. Now he is doing it for fun!! They tried another sleepover...but he came home before the night even really got started. He has a hard time sleeping away from home. Not quite sure what that is about, but I am glad he feels comfortable telling someone he is ready to leave.
I headed up to Park City to pick up some of the drill team girls and bring them home from their dance camp. Sierra was selected as one of the top 30 dancers at the camp. Then each of those 30 girls competed for the top 5. Each of them danced a short solo to show off their abilities. Sierra did 9 pirouettes and then ended with a balance pose...this was very impressive to the judges. I had 4 people come up to me and tell me how crazy cool that was! I have seen her do this many times, I just smiled, "yep, that's my girl!" She was then chosen as one of the top 6!! They couldn't decide on just only 5. She was suffering from total dehydration and vomiting inbetween routines, needing to lay down and be fanned. I felt so bad for her. But she would get up and dance her heart out like nothing was wrong. Looks like she worked herself beyond what her body was ready for. This chica never ceases to amaze me.
Note to self: Take the freaking camera with you and take some pics!!! It's been several weeks since you bought a new camera battery charger. It works!! Try it out! And then post some pics!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Fajitas & Margaritas Party!!!
I'm hosting a party on July 20th @ 6:30 at my home. I would love to see all my fav people!!
It's a fajitas & margaritas Party hosted by Pampered Chef. Come for fun, to buy cool kitchen gadgets, and to enjoy some fabulous food!! Feel free to bring a friend!
On the menu:
Rush-Hour Chicken Fajitas
Fresh Home-made Salsa & Guacamole
Fresh Fruit with
Cool & Creamy Chocolate Fondue
and Margarita Punch!
Can't wait. Let me know if you would like/be able to attend! I will send out invitations and directions to those interested!
It's a fajitas & margaritas Party hosted by Pampered Chef. Come for fun, to buy cool kitchen gadgets, and to enjoy some fabulous food!! Feel free to bring a friend!
On the menu:
Rush-Hour Chicken Fajitas
Fresh Home-made Salsa & Guacamole
Fresh Fruit with
Cool & Creamy Chocolate Fondue
and Margarita Punch!
Can't wait. Let me know if you would like/be able to attend! I will send out invitations and directions to those interested!
Carpet
The carpet has arrived!! Since it is a freebie I am not sure when it will be installed, but hopefully it will be soon! I have been dreaming of new carpet for about...oh...12 years now. Since we moved into this home. It will be so nice!
Sierra is off to drill team camp in Park City. She called last night and told me how it is killing all of them off! Especially the newbies. Hope they survive. She will come home tomorrow.
Montana read the Lightning Thief several months ago and we have been wanting to see the movie version of it ever since it came out. It was just released on DVD yesterday and so we got her a copy of it. It was so funny to hear her saying how things were different in the book, and she was getting mad about it. I had to laugh a little. But she really soaked in all the Greek Mythology and we have had some fun conversations about it.
Justice is turning into quite the little brainiac. He asked me if I knew a lot about science. I told him I knew a little, but I'm no expert. So he asked Grampa Dave if he knew a lot of science. He told him he did. So Justice asked if they could get together and "do science stuff". They had their science date yesterday. They talked about the speed of light, the speed of sound, water pressure per square foot, and lots of other fun stuff. I walked in on their conversation to hear grampa quizzing him...and he remembered a lot of the equations and numbers. Very impressive. Now he wants to get rolling on a list of experiments and projects. Ya gotta love that kid.
We are thoroughly enjoying these lazy summer days. Summer, please drag on and on!! We love you!
Sierra is off to drill team camp in Park City. She called last night and told me how it is killing all of them off! Especially the newbies. Hope they survive. She will come home tomorrow.
Montana read the Lightning Thief several months ago and we have been wanting to see the movie version of it ever since it came out. It was just released on DVD yesterday and so we got her a copy of it. It was so funny to hear her saying how things were different in the book, and she was getting mad about it. I had to laugh a little. But she really soaked in all the Greek Mythology and we have had some fun conversations about it.
Justice is turning into quite the little brainiac. He asked me if I knew a lot about science. I told him I knew a little, but I'm no expert. So he asked Grampa Dave if he knew a lot of science. He told him he did. So Justice asked if they could get together and "do science stuff". They had their science date yesterday. They talked about the speed of light, the speed of sound, water pressure per square foot, and lots of other fun stuff. I walked in on their conversation to hear grampa quizzing him...and he remembered a lot of the equations and numbers. Very impressive. Now he wants to get rolling on a list of experiments and projects. Ya gotta love that kid.
We are thoroughly enjoying these lazy summer days. Summer, please drag on and on!! We love you!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Momma Jenn's Cleaning Crew
I'm starting a new business...
I have a few clients already but would love a few more. Let me know if you need my services.
Basic Service
bathrooms * kitchen * dusting of all hard surfaces * bedrooms * floors * empty wastebaskets
Weekly..........$65 ea. time
Bi-weekly.......$75 ea. time
Once Monthly....$100
By the hour.....$25
*Prices are based on a 3 bedroom/2 bath home 2000 sq. ft. or less. Estimates available for larger homes and offices. Contact us for details.
*We provide all cleaning supplies, towels, and equipment. A 10% discount is given if you would prefer we use your cleaning supplies.
Splurges
Baseboard Wipe down.....$25
Blinds..................$5 per blind
Refrigerator............$25
Oven....................$25
Ceiling Fans............$5 ea.
Organizing (Drawers, Closets, Cupboards)...$25/hr or by quote
Heavy Cleaning $150
Basic Service + the following
refrigerator inside & out * oven inside & out * blinds & baseboards * wipe down all appliances
I have a few clients already but would love a few more. Let me know if you need my services.
Basic Service
bathrooms * kitchen * dusting of all hard surfaces * bedrooms * floors * empty wastebaskets
Weekly..........$65 ea. time
Bi-weekly.......$75 ea. time
Once Monthly....$100
By the hour.....$25
*Prices are based on a 3 bedroom/2 bath home 2000 sq. ft. or less. Estimates available for larger homes and offices. Contact us for details.
*We provide all cleaning supplies, towels, and equipment. A 10% discount is given if you would prefer we use your cleaning supplies.
Splurges
Baseboard Wipe down.....$25
Blinds..................$5 per blind
Refrigerator............$25
Oven....................$25
Ceiling Fans............$5 ea.
Organizing (Drawers, Closets, Cupboards)...$25/hr or by quote
Heavy Cleaning $150
Basic Service + the following
refrigerator inside & out * oven inside & out * blinds & baseboards * wipe down all appliances
Vegas Baby!
We made our annual trek to Las Vegas for the Stars National Dance Competition with Sierra. Unfortunately it will most likely be our last trip due to the dance studio closing that the girls go to. But who knows...maybe we won't be able to resist the June vacation!
Sierra did an amazing job on her solo. 2nd runner up with some very stiff competition. She also placed second in drill down...although I actually think she was the winner, but, we go with the flow. Her team received all platinum ratings (the best you can get) with their lyrical routine placing first and overall in the division. Their hip-hop routine also placed first and overall in the division. It also received a special award for "crazy,insane energy". I would have to agree with that whole-heartedly! Sierra got to participate in a special "good-bye" number with Larianne & Devanee (her instructors). It was a tear-jerker. They have taught her so much. We will definately miss being a part of the STARS and a part of Larianne's studio.
We drove down in my new car and it handled beautifully! I was nervous with it being our first long journey. No problems whatsoever, thank goodness. We had my mom & grama Dodie along for the ride as well. We had a great time as usual! We left around 10:00 on Wed. night because mom had to work late. We drove until 2:00am and spent the night in St. George at the Comfort Inn...which was really a nice, brand new hotel! Had the complimentary breakfast, and then made the rest of the journey. We ended up driving straight to the competition because we had a late start. Checked into the "Orleans" hotel after the competition & a stop at In & Out Burger for dinner (my first time there...I thought it was delicious!). We have stayed at Orleans before and had a great time. It's a nice resort with everything you need right there. We saw a movie, had dinner at several different restaurants, and gambled the penny slots! Haha...big spenders we are! Not a lot of spare time...mostly we were at the competition. Headed out early on Sunday and spent the day driving back.
Justice & Montana stayed with their dad this time. So we picked them up in Mapleton on the way back. It was fun to be reunited after a long separation. They had been with their dad for 7 days. It felt like forever. I've had a few more days of vacation from work since we've been back and it's been nice to just hang out with the kids and not have a lot going on. But now it's back to the grind. I think I'm ready for it.
Sierra did an amazing job on her solo. 2nd runner up with some very stiff competition. She also placed second in drill down...although I actually think she was the winner, but, we go with the flow. Her team received all platinum ratings (the best you can get) with their lyrical routine placing first and overall in the division. Their hip-hop routine also placed first and overall in the division. It also received a special award for "crazy,insane energy". I would have to agree with that whole-heartedly! Sierra got to participate in a special "good-bye" number with Larianne & Devanee (her instructors). It was a tear-jerker. They have taught her so much. We will definately miss being a part of the STARS and a part of Larianne's studio.
We drove down in my new car and it handled beautifully! I was nervous with it being our first long journey. No problems whatsoever, thank goodness. We had my mom & grama Dodie along for the ride as well. We had a great time as usual! We left around 10:00 on Wed. night because mom had to work late. We drove until 2:00am and spent the night in St. George at the Comfort Inn...which was really a nice, brand new hotel! Had the complimentary breakfast, and then made the rest of the journey. We ended up driving straight to the competition because we had a late start. Checked into the "Orleans" hotel after the competition & a stop at In & Out Burger for dinner (my first time there...I thought it was delicious!). We have stayed at Orleans before and had a great time. It's a nice resort with everything you need right there. We saw a movie, had dinner at several different restaurants, and gambled the penny slots! Haha...big spenders we are! Not a lot of spare time...mostly we were at the competition. Headed out early on Sunday and spent the day driving back.
Justice & Montana stayed with their dad this time. So we picked them up in Mapleton on the way back. It was fun to be reunited after a long separation. They had been with their dad for 7 days. It felt like forever. I've had a few more days of vacation from work since we've been back and it's been nice to just hang out with the kids and not have a lot going on. But now it's back to the grind. I think I'm ready for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)