Men of Song and The Silver Star

So kids tonight I write to you and anyone else who may ever read this blog. If you haven't gone to the Layton 4th of July program the Sunday before the 4th, you haven't ever truly experienced the 4th of July. Layton does such an amazing job honoring those who have served in the armed forces and reminding us why we celebrate this holiday each year. They have patriotic music and they honor Layton citizens who are hometown heroes. About three years ago my Grandpa Lorin was honored. Tonight was wonderful. Grandpa sang beautifully and the best part of the whole night is when my Grandpa's singing group (The Men of Song) sing all the armed forces theme songs. There is not a dry eye in the audience. During each song those who served in each organization are invited to stand during their song. It is so moving. How grateful I am for those who have served in the armed forces. They have done so much for our freedom. Tonight I am especially thankful for my Dad who served in Vietnam, my grandfather Lorin who served in World War II, my grandma Alba who served in World War II, my father in-law who served in the army and my brother in-law who served in that National Guard. These men and women sacrificed their lives, their dreams, everything that was comfortable so that they could preserve our freedom and priviledges of being an American. Lastly I would like to thank my amazing brother Brian who served in the army and who was decorated with the silver star. He is a true hero in every sense of the word. He saved eleven other soliders during enemy fire in Korea. He risked his own life for those whom he didn't know, but that made no difference. He would not be happy about me writing about this, but one day Ethan and Sarah you will read this and know that you know and love a true hero. 

So today honor a solider. Whether or not you know this person or not tell them thank you. Offer your gratitude, respect, and thanks. Happy 4th!

 Nice little band singing some folk music.

 Emily Bull dancing to the music.

 Misty, Kyle Anderson, Cathy Bull, Doug Bull and Thomas Bull enjoying the music.

 Ryan Bull, Thomas Bull, Bryson Bull, Megan Beck, and Britton Gardner loving Grandpa's performance.

 Grandpa singing with the Men of Song.

 Grandpa and Paul singing.

 Karli enjoying the night. I love this girl!!

The Men of Song doing what they do best singing the armed forces music.

Wonderful night, wonderful memories. I love you guys!

Dr. Hall...We love You!

Dr. Hall delivering Sarah in 2008

So tonight we were invited to Dr. Hall's house for a barbecue with our family, the Gardner's, the Sandberg's, and the Hartvigsen's. It was a blast! So some people might think it a little odd to go to a barbecue at their OB's house, but not if they knew Dr. Hall. He is simply one of the best Dr.'s and men in the world. We all love and admire him. He came home from his vacation when I went into labor with Sarah. He has given us his personal cell phone if we need anything at all. So when it comes to looking for that perfect Dr. we found that in him. He is spiritual, he is kind, he is real.

We got to his house at 5:00 p.m. and the first thing he said was, "okay kids you have to find the secret door." So you were running all over trying to find this secret door and finally this one bookshelf in the family room, had a little lip coming out from the wall and we slowly opened the bookshelf door and the squeals, oh the squeals! Ethan you were shaking all over your body and screaming with pure delight! Sarah you couldn't get up that spiral stair case fast enough. Ethan you kept saying over and over again to Dr. Hall, "This is awesome, this is awesome!!" So in we all went and climbed up the spiral stair case, past the Cat in the Hat mural on the wall and into the magical hidden world of pure imagination and fun! There was a movie room with Breir Rabbit and his friends and the crocodile painted on the wall. The real exciting room was the ball room. It had a playhouse built into the wall, with a window, and a door for rabbit to come to. The walls and windows were all set up so that you could throw balls and not worry about breaking anything. It was wonderful. You guys ran and played and giggled and made wonderful memories. After you played for a while we had hamburgers, hot dogs and lots of salads. It was so nice to sit down with 15 children and everyone ate and you were all very respectful and it was so pleasant. After dinner we went outside in Dr. Hall's beautiful backyard and played baseball. It was so much fun! Ethan you hit the ball the first time and you were beyond thrilled. You made it all the way to third base! You were screaming and you were so proud of yourself, as you should be. You were able to run it in with the next hit and you were running around slapping everyone high five. Your next hit was a home run and you couldn't contain your excitement. It was the first time you really showed any interest in baseball and it was so fun. Sarah you were not interesting in the baseball game but you were interested in the hammock on the porch. You and Ellie were swinging each other on the hammock and enjoying every minute of it. It was so cute. I would like to go on record that Mommy hit the ball too and ran all the way to third base as well. I still got it. Later we found ourselves back in the playhouse in the secret room and I was the princess and Sarah, Ellie, and Brynlee were the animals. I had to sing to get them to come to me and you all thought that was too great. All the adults sat outside and talked and enjoyed the beautiful weather. We finished the night with brownies and ice cream and a big picture with Dr. Hall.

It was a perfect night with family, friends, and a great Dr. who has sacrificed so much for so many people. We love you Dr. Hall! Thank you for bringing all our children into this world.

Is there anyway to stop time?

Do you ever want to capture a moment, hold on to it, and hope it lasts forever...I do. I wish I could freeze time and keep Ethan this age forever. I wish I could journal everything perfectly and never forget one minute we spent together. I wish I could be as eloquent as some of the other bloggers I know and express myself so beautifully that every experience is remembered with perfect clarity.The last four years and fifteen days have been heaven on earth for me. He is simply the nicest little boy on the planet and I love him dearly. This is a glimpse of a typical daily conversation with Ethan.

 Sledding at Layton Park

 Ethan wearing Daddy's safety glasses

 Daddy and Ethan cuddling in the morning

Ethan...that smile!! You are the most adorable child! This is at Dinosaur museum in St. George

 Ethan and Parker at the Sandberg's for an Easter hunt

 Ethan or Superman! Aunt Cheryl, Gavin, and Marissa came to stay with us and we put this air mattress in the family room and you and Gavin were loving it! You jumped from the couch to the mattress a million times. It was so fun!

Ethan you reading in the kitchen. You love to read books.

Ethan walks into the bathroom while I am getting ready, "Woot, woo, mommy you are beautiful!"

Mommy, give me a hug (with arms stretched out)

Mommy, your my best friend

Hey Mommy, guess what? I love you!

Dance, Mommy, Dance!

Mommy come dance with me (especially anytime the BYU dancers are dancing on KBYU)

Mommy sing rainbow (somewhere over the rainbow)

Sing mommy, sing louder mommy!

Did you hear something? (with eyes moving back and forth and spoken in a whisper)

What was that? (also in a whisper, looking around quickly)

Mommy: "Ethan do you want to take a bath?"
Ethan: "Well certainly, I do." (With an emaphise on the cert)

Mommy: "Ethan do you want to go for a ride?"
Ethan: "Well, of course." (Always a head nod on course)

Maaaammy, I'mmm aaaawwwake (Every morning and every nap time. Ethan never gets out of bed until I come into the room to get him. He then tells me again, mommy I'm awake in a cheerful tone)

Mommy: "Ethan will you come here for a minute?"
Ethan: "Well, don't mind if I do."

"Mommy, you and Sarah are my best girls."

Everynight at bedtime we read scriptures to Ethan, 2 books, and sing 2 songs from the hymn book, he also wants me to sing somewhere over the rainbow. Ethan's most requested song is Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd...a little shocked, us too, but Ethan loves that song and can sing all the words right along with us. After Matt turns off the lights, Ethan says, "Hey it's dark in here" (he says it every night and it never gets old)

Typical prayer: "Our gracious Heavenly Father, please bless mommy and daddy and Sarah that they will come rescue us. Please bless the food in the name of Jesus Christ amen." Then Ethan says to me, "mommy was that a long prayer, short prayer, or a happy prayer?"

Ethan some how has picked up a Southern accent

I just like him way to much! Here is Ethan before our trip to California loving life in the suitcase. Here is Ethan with his cars and all is well.

I love you, sweetheart! So very much!! 

"Don't you dare tell me I'm punctual!"

Matt and I were watching, "The Help" and I loved the part that the maid told the little girl that "she was nice, she was smart, and she was important." So the next morning while cuddling with Sarah I turned to her and told her that she was nice, she was smart, and she was important. Sarah then got her big wide eyed face and put her hand on her hip and said, "Well that's fine, but don't you dare tell me that I am punctual!" I immediately said, "what did you say" and then she repeated back the same sentence. So I said, "where did you learn the word punctual?" Sarah just looked at me and said, "I'll never tell". So fast forward a day and I ask her again where she learned that word and start naming cartoons she has recently watched and then the big reveal came...it was Aladin! When the Genie is in the form of a bee and tells Aladin to tell Jasmine that she is punctual! So funny! You just never know what kids are listening to and what they are picking up. 

Summer Fun and Fort Friday

So the summer has been pretty wonderful so far. We have had a party or outing of some sort nearly everyday. We have swam or played in water nearly everyday. We have been with cousins just about everyday as well. We have been to Castle Park for a family reunion. You both love Castle Park. We played on the playground, but this year you were very interested in the woods below, so we went and discovered a small creek, lots of trails, and a million trees. It was pure dirty fun. We have been to Barnes Park. We went one day with all the cousins including the Bull family cousins. We played in the sand, on the playground, soccer, and dodge ball. We have gone to Daddy's work to take him on a picnic and went to Sugar House Park to play on the playground and eat with Daddy. We have ate outside nearly every night for dinner and played on our swing set, swam in our little pool, and swung on our tree swing. We have rode our bikes, dressed up as superheroes, or princesses, and played outside until we had to start a camp fire to keep us warm...which we have done several times and then roasted marshmallows. We do learning time in the mornings and it has been so fun to discover new things with Sarah and watch her try to grasp the concept of letter sounds and writing. Ethan is loving math and time and is really progressing in his reading. I can't believe the words that he breezes through. It has been such a great beginning to a much anticipated summer.

Right now I am listening to you play in the family room. You have made a fort and Ethan you are a scientist and Sarah you are a princess and you have found some jewels and Ethan you have hidden them and Sarah is trying to find your hiding place. You are giggling and creating together and it makes me so happy. Our house is fairly quiet compared to most of my family and friends. With only two kids the fighting is pretty tame (not perfect, but doesn't happen to often). We play a lot with one another and you are getting better about depending more upon one another than you did in the past. I love it! You are discovering how fun it is to have a brother and sister with you all the time. If there is one thing I hope for it is that you will be each other's best friend. That you will always respect one another. That you will always delight in each other's accomplishments. That you will always be proud of one another. That you will always be loyal to each other. That you will always be one another's best friend. It really is a wonderful day. The wind is blowing outside, the sun is shining, the flowers are brilliant, the vegetables of growing, and the house is happy because of you. I love you both. I love being your mother. This is what I hoped for. You are wonderful!

A few of my favorite things at age 35

Some times I don't think I realize how many things I love. So today I am letting my children know that their mom is a real person with likes and dislikes and many loves. So here is a glimpse of what mommy loves at age 35.

1. I love aprons! I love to put one on each night and Sarah you always join me with your apron. We cook dinner together every night. There is something about putting on a apron that transports me back in time and I feel like I could actually be Donna Reed and that life is really still simple.
2. I love Donna Reed. I have the four seasons that are out and I can completely relax when I watch her. I love that I can watch a show that my kids can watch with me. I wish I could wear beautiful dresses everyday and hats...oh I love her hats. 
3. I love I Love Lucy. I feel the same way about Lucy. I don't relax as much but I giggle. She makes me laugh and the kids adore her.
4. I love tablecloths! I would love to have a different table cloth for each day of the week. I love walking past my kitchen table and see the tablecloth neatly spread out with a fresh vase of flowers. It makes me smile.
5. I love fresh flowers. I am always touched when my sweet Matthew brings me flowers or anyone for that matter. They brighten the day and lift my spirit.
6. I love my flower garden. For the first time in my 9 years of marriage I have successfully planted and kept alive flowers in my front planter bed. I can't describe how happy that makes me. We don't have sprinklers so it's a lot of work, but it's worth it. I love to walk outside in the morning and pick the weeds and pull in dead flowers and feel the joy of keeping something alive. 
7. I love my vegetable garden. We planted a garden this year. We have had two other gardens but they were never that successful because they never got enough sun. So this year we (that means Matt made, but I supervised) three planter boxes right next to our porch and they are doing fantastic! Again it is a lot of work to water but I love it and find it to be very rewarding.
8. I love to sit on my patio in my new white chairs and watch the wind blow through my neighbors tree. There is something about that sound that puts me in a state of tranquility and I can completely get lost in my thoughts. 
9. I love to cook. I don't always like the thought that I have to go make dinner, but once I am doing it I am so happy to create something I know my family will love. I love knowing that we eat every night together and that I made something that is healthy and keeps us together.
10. I love to set a table. I love to sit down at a table that is fully set. I love the tablecloth down, plates, cups, napkins, serving dishes (even though it's a little more work to wash those dishes...it's worth it).
11. I love musicals. I love to sing along with them. I love to watch them. I especially love to go to them.
12. I love music in general. I love to turn music on in the morning and I find myself lost in the work and not dreading it anymore. Music motivates me and helps me get the job done.
13. I love to read my scriptures. There is nothing that brings more peace of mind than a good study of the scriptures. Reading with a commentary is always a happy scripture study day for me.
14. I love Excel. I love to make list. I love to do financial reports. I love to plan out my workouts, the house, trips, you name it I could make a spreadsheet for it.
15. I love a clean house. I love the smell of a clean house. I love the way I feel when the house is clean. I love that if someone knocks at the door you can invite them in without the fear that your going to be mortified at what they see, smell, or find.
16. I love to talk. I love to sit down with friends or strangers and learn more about them or from them. I love to hear about people's lives and why they do what they do.
17. I love to sew. I am not that good at it, but when I sit down to do it, I am always so pleased with myself when I am done.
18. I love to scrapbook on the computer. I have a new program on my computer to scrapbook and I love it! I hope I can be good and get books done for my family and capture the wonderful memories we have shared together.
19. I love jewelry. I love nice jewelry. I love to put earrings, necklace, bracelet, and rings on everyday. I don't feel finished until I put all the jewelry on and then I can tackle the day.
20. I love skirts and dresses. I should have been born in the 50's. I love the way the dressed and I feel more complete in a skirt or dress. I would wear a dress everyday if I could.
21. I love to go walking in the mornings with Julia. It's my own little therapy session with such a dear friend. It's always hard to wake up at 6:15 a.m. but it's so worth it. We walk hard, but we talk the entire time and I always feel ready for the day after I leave her.
22. I love to be ready before I take Ethan for school. I feel so happy when I have Ethan, Sarah, and myself ready for the day. I try to accomplish this everyday so that the rest of the day I can go and do whatever needs to be done. It's one of the best things I do for our day. Sarah make this commitment when you are a stay at home mom and it will work miracles for your motivation and spirits.
23. I love to go on drives. I love to drive in the car with classical music playing and just drive around and look at other people's yards and homes and dream about the future.
24. I love my little house. I love that it is green. I love that we have worked so hard to get it to look as good as it does. I love that it is small and I can see you kids wherever you are in the house. I love Daddy and I have worked side by side to make it beautiful. I love that we can afford to live here and still have money left over at the end of the month.
25. I love to read. I love to get lost in a good book. I love to read uplifting stories or gospel doctrine books. I don't like wasting my time with things that don't add to my  becoming something better (it happens occasionally) but I try to spend my time with motivating or self-improving books.
26. I love to camp. I love to be outdoors and sleep by a stream at night. I love to cook by a fire and listen to it crackle when we roast marshmellows. I love that you kids can get dirty and it doesn't matter. I love everything about camping except the potty situation, other than that, it's the perfect vacation.
27. I love love love Disneyland!!! I could spend day after day after day there and never get tired of it. I love everything about it. I love the way you kids light up when we get there. I love that you are so delighted with everything we see. I love the music there. I love the gift there. I love the rides, the parades, the food, I love Disneyland!
28. I love to swim. I would swim everyday if I could. I don't love getting in a swim suit, but I love the way the water feels on your body when you dive in or gently glide along the bottom. It's freedom. I love it.
29. I love gardening books, decorating books, and cooking books. I love to read them, use them, and find it very relaxing to cuddle up on my patio chair and get lost in them.
30. I love pine view. I use to love the beach but pine view or bear lake is so much better. No big waves to worry about. Great sand, treats, playing in the water, making memories, it's wonderful.
31. I love my sisters. What would I do without them. They are my best friends, my kids second mothers, the best people I know.
32. I love my parents and my brothers. They guide me. They support me. They love me. 
33. I love to play with my kids! I love to pretend to be a princess or queen. I love to play dolls, house, kitchen, makeup. I love to becoming a superhero and run through the house pretending to be something bigger and better. I love playing the wii with Ethan and having him be so proud when I do something impressive that I didn't even realize I was doing. I love to read with you, to sing to you, to cuddle you. I love you! I love being your mom. I love staying home with you. I love everything about my life.
34. I love my husband! I love that he is my best friend. I love that I trust him. I love that I know he would never talk bad about me in any way. I love that he is a great provider. I love that he is spiritual. I love he takes his calling seriously. I love that he works hard in and out of the home. I love that he plays with the kids. I love that he makes everyone laugh. I  love that he is my husband! I love him with all my heart.
35. I love my Savior Jesus Christ! Where would I be in this life without my knowledge of Him. He is the one that has given me all that I have and my joy is complete because of my testimony of His existence and The Atoning sacrifice on my behalf. I love the Gospel. It is true. Everything I do is so I can return home faithful to the Father and the Son. I love the Gospel and my Savior with all my heart and soul.

Well that is a beginning of the things I love. I am a happy person by nature and so are you. Life is wonderful and if you look for what is wonderful it will always be that much better. I love you guys! 

Love, Mommy

35..perfect day!

So today I am 35 years old! Where does the time go? It was a great birthday. I woke up to a message written on the mirror from my sweetheart. It said, "We love you Mommy, Happy Birthday!!" I was able to sleep in until 8:00 am, until I was woke up by my sweet Sarah crawling in my bed with me. Ethan you slept in until 9:30. We had breakfast, I did a little light weeding in the flower garden and then watered my veggies and then we got ready for the day. Sarah today was the first time we put mousse in your hair and tried out that natural curl...you looked adorable. After we were all ready we went to Grandma McCormack's house for cousin play date. My sweet sisters always go way beyond the call of duty and they made a special lunch for me. We had ham wraps, salad, veggies and dip, and chocolate covered strawberries! So great! My Aunt Cathy and Brittany also brought lime ricky's. It was a very relaxing afternoon, where the adults got to chat and the kids played in the backyard and watched Tom and Jerry. It was a perfect afternoon.

About three o'clock the best thing in my life walked through the door...the blue eyed, brown haired Mr. Parkin! Could my day get any better...no, he makes everything perfect. We packed up and headed to our house and opened presents. I received the Adele CD, Biography on Dick Van Dyke, Shirley Temple DVD collection, a wallet, shirt, a book, and a skirt. Way to generous, but very appreciated. The great thing about the gifts was that daddy took you two with him and you helped pick out every gift. You did great! I loved every gift you got me. After gifts we headed out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory at the City Creek Center. It was the first time we had been there and it was delicious! Daddy got tuna, I got steak, Ethan got macaroni and cheese, and Sarah got grilled chicken. For dessert we got carmel chocolate pecan cheesecake, daddy got mango key lime pie cheesecake and you kids got vanilla ice cream. We all shared and dinner was so pleasant. The waitress was a little slow, but you were so patient and it was so relaxing. We talked and giggled and it was the best time we ever had at a restaurant. After dinner we went to the Disney store and Sarah got a Little Mermaid and Cinderella nightgown, Ethan got the Brave sword, axe and hammer. It was a perfect night. We walked slowly back through the city creek and came home for the night. Before bed time Daddy put on the Adele CD and we all danced in the family room and Sarah you never wanted it to end. It was one of the best parts of the day. After prayers, scriptures, and books you both went to bed and Daddy and I stayed up and watched Pysch while Daddy rubbed my feet. The end of a perfect day! I love you all!