Sunday

Here’s my confession…At the beginning of the week I chose to watch a movie that I absolutely shouldn’t have watched. A friend said it had a good story to it and it wasn’t “that scary.” I’m a big baby when it comes to scary movies…I like the feeling of being scared, I just don’t like it to last. And usually I don’t watch anything where that feeling lasts – because, let’s get real, there’s no such thing as zombies or vampires.

Here’s what I learned…what you allow in your home (as far as media, TV, music, etc.) affects the Spirit of your home. No kidding, right? The prophets have been saying that for years. I’m a proud person, though, and have always kind of considered myself immune to that…like I am unaffected by it and can watch/listen/read pretty much anything I want and it makes no difference.

Wrong.

All week, since watching this movie, I can’t get these VERY vivid images out of my head. What’s worse is that all those images from the movie have led to ridiculous thoughts in my own head.

I haven’t had a good night of sleep in a week. Emily has had a hard time getting to sleep with me (Kris is on graveyards), because as soon as I walk into her dark room, I panic, my heart rate goes nuts and she can tell.

I’m embarrassed and ashamed that I would knowingly let this feeling into my home. And very humbled.

That’s probably why our Sunday was so awful. I’ve been a total grouch all week. Annie has hit that phase where she just chatters all the time. I want her to be quiet. Like, 5 minutes of quiet would be awesome. She just goes. It’s crazy. All morning, I wanted to tape her mouth shut (no lie). And all morning I kept thinking, “Church better be good.” Yeah, of course its going to be stellar with that kind of attitude.

Our Relief Society lesson was about getting the monkeys off your back. Two things I needed to hear:

• The opening song – “Count Your Blessings”
• “If anyone can change the dismal situation into which we are sliding, it is you. Rise up, oh women of Zion, rise up to the great challenge which faces you.” GORDON B. HINCKLEY (I Googled this quote and loved the end part of it: “My message to you, my challenge to you, my prayer is that you will rededicate yourselves to the strengthening of your homes.”)

I’m feeling a little (okay, A LOT) more determined to get rid of my monkeys, those comfortable little things that give me lots of excuses for doing things I shouldn’t (should’ve, would’ve could’ve). First step, no more scary movies at my house.

Sundays are exhausting…

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to…

Today my Annie is 2 1/2.  I didn’t think I’d really care after she turned 2.  I mean, no regular doctor check-ups until she turns 3, no big milestones like when they’re little and tackling everything.  But seriously, I care because my kid is freakin’ AMAZING.

Annie is so full of spunkiness, I am seriously always laughing.  It’s awesome.  She has been saying and doing the most ridiculous things lately.  On our trip to Vegas, we bought her fruit snacks that had smiley faces on them.  She called them “Happies”.  When she would finish them, she’d say, “Happy no more,” and shake the package upside down.  On our way home from Vegas, she was sleeping and Emily was crying.  She woke up and said, “Mom, baby’s crying.  Get a bottle.  And binky.”  Seriously, who is this kid!?:) 

She is very quick to say please, thank you and you’re welcome (even when its not necessary).  She also loves to walk up and say, “Mom, what are you doing?”  She does it several times in a row, so it isn’t always cute, but the first few times it is.:) 

Yesterday in the car, she was pretending to have a camera.  She’d say, “Smile!” and then take a picture and say, “Oh that’s so cute.”  I can’t believe the things she not only picks up on, but how long she remembers them for!

One of my favorite things she does is, after cleaning up toys or doing something we’ve asked her to do, she throws her arms up in the air and says, “I did it!” 

Annie is a great helper.  She gets diapers, blankets, wipes…pretty much anything we ask her to do (within reason, of course).  She LOVES her little sister.  It’s awesome to watch them when they actually play together.  Annie makes Emily laugh faster and louder than anybody else can.  Annie stands on the opposite side of the living room and calls to Emily, “Come here baby.”  The best thing is that Emily crawls right over to her!

Annie has also really started loving books and songs.  She wants to read books before bed every night.  Her latest favorite is “One Fish, Two Fish…” by Dr. Seuss.  She even knows some of the different pages and counts or says certain words with you.  She loves to sing and has finally started learning words and actions, so she can tell you what she wants to sing (oh, and she DOES tell you!).

Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am to have this little girl in my life.  She’s so smart and funny and beautiful.  Even on the worst days, she always manages to find a way to make me laugh.  I can’t wait to see what she does with a little brother!

Comfort Food

Tonight was Chicken Fried Steak with buttermilk gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans.  Comfort food. 

Monday would’ve been my parents 36th wedding anniversary.  That’s just a random bit of information and not helpful to know, other than it means you know I had my mom on the brain.

Kris and I were having a conversation about different people we know that just seem to have kids for the sake of having kids.  Like they’re a status symbol.  Like they’ll save them from their lives.  It’s not about sharing your life with another little person, teaching them and watching them grow.  It’s about what a child will do for you.

I never wanted kids.  I don’t make much of a secret out of that. 

When I was little, I wasn’t around kids enough to really think about having my own someday.  By the time I was old enough to care, I had enough things happen in my life to know that I would never want someone else (especially someone I was responsible for) to endure the pain and loss that I had.  And when I was even older, I knew for certain I would screw a kid up.  Bad. 

I’m not sure what really changed my mind, probably a combination of things.  I remember the day I felt like I was okay with losing my mom.  I knew I was okay, and I knew that I had no control over it.  Just like I would have no control over the things that would happen in my children’s lives.  Some things just happen.  Death is one of those things.

I also remember the day when I was okay with the decisions I had made and the person they had made me.  They weren’t mistakes.  They were decisions.  Moments in my life that I had taken advantage of my free agency.  Mostly I realized I had more courage (and maybe sanity) than I originally gave myself credit for, because I pulled myself out of that place.

That’s when I met Kris, and I knew from watching him with his nephew Kevin, that I could have kids with him, and it would be okay.

Truthfully, though, I never thought I would enjoy motherhood like I do.  Motherhood is my comfortable place. I may not always do everything right, and it’s hard (3 days of baby diarrhea make it harder), but it’s the best place to be.  I love my babies…out of control, unexplainable love.  The best thing is that I don’t care about the sleep I’m missing, the things I don’t get to do anymore, the money I don’t have, or the friends I don’t have. 

I don’t have many memories of my mom, but I remember being 8 years old and riding the Matterhorn at Disneyland  with her.  In that moment, she was my very best friend.  It’s okay (now) that she’s gone, because for the briefest time, I had the greatest mom EVER.  I’d sacrifice anything to make sure my kids have that one memory of me where they feel that way.

Las Vegas pt. 2

Sweet Holli took these pictures…love them!

Annie picking out her chocolates at the Chocolate Factory.:)

Riding in Grandpa’s walker

Aaron, Annie and Gleanie

My kids were pretty much in heaven with their cousins!

Viva Las Vegas/Hunter Family Reunion

Our second vacation of the summer was to Las Vegas!  We’ve been planning for a few months to meet Kris’s family there (it’s exactly halfway between home and Twin Falls!).  We made all the arrangements so everybody could stay at the time share (thank you bonus points!) – it was so much fun for us to all be together.  We missed David & Brian, but I’m pretty sure we had enough fun for them, plus some.:)

Our trip started on Saturday, when we drove to Mesa and stayed with our friends Craig & Bethany and their girls.  Annie got to sleep in somebody else’s bed for the first time!  I’m not sure her and Eden got ANY sleep, but who would!?  We got up Sunday morning and headed to Las Vegas.  No lie…both girls slept from just outside Phoenix all the way to Kingman.  That’s a pretty big deal for them.  Especially Emily, who is a pretty rotten sleeper.  We planned to get to Vegas on Sunday night to get everything set up and ready, and everybody else would arrive Monday.

Monday afternoon the Hunter gang arrived from Idaho: Grandma & Grandpa, Julie, Eric & Leah & company, Holli & Aaron, and Katie.  Poor Holli and Aaron…their car broke down – what a MESS that turned out to be!  Thankfully they got to squeeze in our van a few times – we really loved having them (Katie, too).

Tuesday we went to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory.  They had a self-guided tour and free chocolate tasting (yes – FREE chocolate tasting!).  We spent too much money there, but seriously…it was SO worth it!  My favorite was the Peanut Butter chocolates.  They make their own peanut butter, and the chocolates are in the shape of peanuts.  The Pecan Brittle was equally as delicious!

Tuesday night (after 2 nights of having Annie in our bed), Eric offered to let her sleep with his kids.  Poor Lianna woke up Wednesday morning and told us she didn’t like Annie sleeping with her.  She didn’t have enough space.:)

Wednesday we  hit the Strip.  Emily got to stay at the resort with Grandma.:)  I was pretty miserable.  Pregnant and hot (and in pain!) was not a great combination.  We took Annie to the M & M store and got her and Emily matching shirts.  We also saw the castle (Excalibur), which was pretty awesome to Annie.  “It’s the castle, the castle,” she kept saying.

Thursday was family day, which ended up being mostly running errands and swimming for us.  We had wanted to go to the temple, but it was closed for maintenance.  We were SO disappointed!  Thursday night we went to the Bellagio to see the fountains and the Conservatory.  I LOVE the Conservatory there.  They always have the most beautiful displays!  The fountains were pretty, but there were SO many people and lots of different smells.  My pregnant self couldn’t handle it all.:) 

Friday.  I seriously don’t even remember what we did Friday.  That’s how crazy the week was!  I do remember swimming, because Emily fell asleep in the pool with Grandma.  Let’s see…Kris and Eric made breakfast that day.  I also made an ungodly amount of deviled eggs.  We had taken 4 18 packs with us (one was hard-boiled for deviled eggs at the beginning of the week) and then Leah bought a 60 pack at Costco.  We cooked all the ones we brought, plus 7 out of the 60.  The rest became deviled eggs.  We were sick.

The girls in their matching swimsuits.:)

Saturday we headed home.  The Idaho gang drove straight back to Idaho, and we just drove to Mesa.  We were SO tired, there was no way we could’ve made it back in one day!  It was worth it though, cause we had so much fun.  We’re already looking forward to next year, when we go to Idaho to celebrate Grandma & Grandpa Hunter’s 50th Wedding Anniversary!

I’ll have more pictures to post.  Since Holli is also into the photography thing, between all of us, we had some great pictures!

4th of July

We didn't do much for the 4th of July (poor Kris wanted fireworks...), but we did go watch our neighborhood parade. Every year they set off the cannons at 5:30 a.m. and the fire trucks drive around town with their sirens blaring. It's ridiculous, but its tradition! We live right on the parade route, so at 6 a.m., we walked down to the corner to watch.

Emily wasn't too impressed. Every time the firetruck sirens would go off, she would jump.
Annie could hear the trucks coming before she could see them...

The best part of the parade? Candy at 6 o'clock in the morning.:)

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And just cause she's so gosh darn cute.:)