8 years

I can't believe that we got married 8 years ago!  I am so lucky to have found someone like Todd.  He truly is my soul mate. 

We met in high school over 12 years ago.  We never dated or even hung out.  I always thought he was so cute and made sure that I attended the one class we had together.  We ran into each other a few times after high school and one of those times I mentioned that I was moving to St. George and working at Village Inn down there.  Well I didn't think much of it because we had just been the kind of friends that ran into each other and talked for a minute, said we should get together but never did.  One night I was working at VI and I got a call from Todd.  He was on his way down to Vegas with a friend and wanted to know if I would come.  Well I couldn't think of any reason not to so I went.  It was the most miserable trip of my life!!!!  I wore flip flop and we walked so much that they started cutting my skin in between my toes.  We drove down there in a old camaro that smelled like exhaust and was super loud.  Although Todd let me sit in the front seat while he rode in the back.  What a sweetheart he was.  It was a lot of fun to finally hang out but that was it.  We got back from Vegas and they went home.  I was working at El Sol one night, at least a year or so later when he came in with a group of friends.  I wasn't his waitress nor did I see him until I heard someone YELL my name across the restaurant.  I was kinda embarrassed but also so excited to see him.  We talked for a sec and I gave him my number I really didn't think much of it because he had his girlfriend with him.  Well about 6 months later he called me.  I never expected it but I am sure glad that he did.  We were married about a year later.

I couldn't have asked for a better husband, friend and father to our children.  I can't wait to spend the rest of my life loving him! 

WE GOT CATS....

 

Ashton named his cat Rockstar and Adelyn named her cat Roxie.

We live right next to a couple large fields so I am assuming that we will have mice.  Since it is starting to get cold out I figured it was time to nip the problem in the bud before it started.  We got cats, so that we would not get mice.  Luckily for us our cousins cats recently had 22 kittens, so Aunt Michele was more than happy to let a couple come our way.

I think Ashton loved them the most, he sat outside the first day we had them and just held them on his lap.  Adelyn was at school or she probably would have done the same thing.  The kids were so worried about them sleeping outside so Todd made them a really nice home. 

 I think they are adorable!  Todd on the other hand claims he hates them but has been caught outside holding them more than once.  I had cats growing up and I loved them.  I think that is the reason I believed I could be a dog person.  I realized I loved cats because they leave you alone and dogs don't!

 The only thing I don't like about them is that our dogs HATE them!!  I thought they would get used to them after awhile but I am not seeing that yet.  The cats can run faster than the dogs so they have yet to eat them but they sure do try.  If the backdoor is open Molly stands on her hind legs so she can see out the screen door and just watches them.  The second we got cats our dogs forgot everything they knew.  I swear they are so focused on where the cats are and what they are doing they ignore us!!  I already have 2 kids who don't listen I need my obedient dogs back before I go nuts.

Demolition Derby

Ashton met a friend at Little Wonders that would talk about the demolition derby a lot.  As a result of that Ashton talked about wanting to go to one all the time.  I am not sure how we have lived here our whole lives and never once thought of taking the kids to one.  Well we finally did!  It was pretty fun but they are kinda long so we didn't make it through the whole thing.

ENJOYING THE ACTION

 Mmmmm Nachos...

 SiLly fAcEs

Ashton and his pickle.  He sure loves pickles!!

Todd and Les

They loved it.  Adelyn was very hesitant from the beginning she just didn't see how it could be fun.  She ended up having just as much fun as Ashton.  It was a fun night but I did remember why I haven't been to one since High School.

Being a Mother...

If I could be just 1/2 the mom that my mother was I would know I did just fine.  My mother wasn't perfect but I know that she tried.  I often think about a time when I over heard her on the phone telling someone that she would just rather them not tell her the story.  She went on to explain that she had made the decision that she wasn't going to listen or repeat any gossip.  I guess that really sunk in that day.  As women we enjoy talking so much and what is there to talk about if we don't talk about each other?  Remembering hearing this has often made me think twice before I speak.  I know I should be better at not spreading or listening to gossip because most of the time it is not true and would only hurt the person it is about.

My mom was so willing to help anyone out and tried very hard to please everyone.  It is hard for me to think of a time that dinner wasn't prepared and on the table by 5 or 6.  I now know how hard that is to do.  I can just kick myself for how much I complained about not being hungry or not liking what we were having.  I should have been thanking her for taking the time to care about us so much.  My kids are lucky to get a nice cooked meal for dinner once a week.  I try really hard to make sure I do it a couple times a week but it is so hard with every thing else going on.  I am lucky to have kids who are willing to try new things so I don't get a whole lot of complaints but when I do it makes me so mad that I spent so much time for nothing.  I know they will come to appreciate it more as they grow older like I did. 

Today is my moms birthday.  A day that now means so much to me.  It has been 7 and 1/2 years since we have lost her.  I think everyday how things would be different with her here.  I have so many things I want to tell her and so many questions I want to ask.  But most of all I wish my kids knew her.  They are so sweet and tell me they miss her too.  They ask if we can go to her grave and take flowers a lot which makes me smile.  I think they just like to go to the cemetery.  I have always felt so jipped because she died 3 days after Adelyn was born.  It has never seemed fair to me but when is life very fair?  I know everything happens for a reason and I believe she held on till she felt it was her time to go.  I just wish I knew the reason behind it all.  I am sure there are so many people that are wondering the same thing about loved ones they have lost.  Loosing my mom was so hard but there is some comfort in knowing she was able to experience so many things in her life.  I think her favorite part was being a grandma and now she has 4 grand daughters and 6 grand sons.  She was the best grandma to the three she was able to get to know and she would have been for the rest.  I know she is watching over them all from above.

We went to the Cemetery the other day and put up some flowers. 

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family.  Even though I have lost my mother I have a father who would do anything for me, 4 wonderful sisters and a brother.  Not to mention my extended family who means so much to me.  My sisters and I have all be able to get closer as we have gotten older.  They are all so great and unique in there own ways.  I learn so much from each of them and feel so blessed to have them in my life.  Bryce, my little yet taller brother is the best brother you could ask for.  He is so kind to me and my kids.  He has always been there, to help me with anything he can.  I can honestly say I wouldn't have made it this far without him in my life.  It is so wonderful to know that I have people who love, care and except me for who I am.  Our Mother was a great example to all of us kids and taught us all so much.  I feel so blessed to have had her as my mother and friend.  She touched the lives of everyone who knew her and truly was an angel on earth.  Happy Birthday Mom!!  You are missed by all who were lucky enough to know you.  You are always in my heart and on my mind.  I Love You!!  Leslie

A day in my life...

This morning started around 7:15 when to my surprise my children woke up.  I heard them as they were walking down the stairs.  Which to me is a great sound in the morning because this means they did not sleep with me.  They do a lot since we have moved into the new house.  I understand why, I get kinda scared upstairs too. So I got up and we got breakfast and started to get ready school.  Today was a very special picture day for Adelyn, she got to pick out her own outfit and hair.  We have a rule that I control EVERYTHING on picture days and she gets every other day of the year.  School pictures are not as important to me because I don't buy them.  I did curl her hair a little so she looked nice for the class photo.  We got her off to school on time and looking very pretty.  Then I went to go about my day going through the mail and doing the bills.  We got 2 new kittens yesterday (pictures to come soon) so Ash was outside holding them all morning.  Oh ya I also put a roast in the crock pot for dinner.  I got a lot done around the house and then sat down with Ash for some lunch.  We then got him dressed and ready for school.  We were actually early for school today!!  I was so proud of myself, I know lame but it has been hard for me.  I swear I look at the clock and we have plenty of time and then I start doing something and before you know it we are running out the door and hurrying as fast as we can to school.  So we rode our bikes and on my way back I rode up to Fonsbecks Greenhouse to get a much needed Diet Coke.  (the only place in Mendon that sells anything and thank goodness they do)  I decided that I would go in and look around and while I was there I got a call from my boss reminding me I had to be to work in 30 minutes.  I had looked at the wrong schedule and didn't relize I worked.  Well Todd drove to work this morning so I had no car.  Adelyn had dance right after school and it was her very first day.  So I was freakin a little.  Luckily I found someone to switch with so I didn't have to go in.  Then I finished up my TO DO/CHORE list for the day.  The kids got home and so we rushed Adelyn to dance and then me and Ash played a little mario.  We Adelyn got home we started homework and it took forever.  We didn't even finish before I had to get dinner all ready.  So I prepared the rest of dinner and we sat down and ate.  I think Adelyn is going through a growing spurt she had 3 helpings of roast a big scoop of potatoes and lots of carrots.  She said that I was the best cooker ever and Ashton agreed.  Ashton didn't eat as much roast but he ate 3 helpings of potatoes.  They really are good such good eaters it makes me so happy.  Then after dinner I totally spaced the rest of homework and started baths.  By the time baths were done and hair was dry it was 8:30.  I don't know where the time goes.  I feel like my life is so rushed all the time and I never time to sit and breath.  Tomorrow I have the same thing but I work from 9:30-3:00 and Adelyn has Girl Scouts instead of Dance.  I have always thought it would get easier the older the my kids got but between activities, homework, housework, dinner, work, and everything else that gets thrown into the mix I think it is getting harder.  And to top it all off it is 9:10 and Todd just called and said he is just now leaving the job site and will be home in an hour after finishing up his day of work.  Man 5:30 is going to come really early for him tomorrow. 

A Mothers revenge

A friend sent this to me and I think it is too funny not to re-post.  I would give anything to send Todd if I really could... 

  He would literally die if he had to walk a day in my shoes!!

THE
NEXT SURVIVOR
SERIES
Six married men
will be dropped on an island with one car and 
3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports
and take either music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must 
take care of his 3 kids;
keep his assigned house clean,

correct all homework,
complete science projects,
cook,
do laundry,
and pay a list of 'pretend' bills
with not enough money.

In
addition, each man 
will have to budget in money
for groceries each week.

Each man 
must remember the birthdays
of all their friends and relatives,
and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child
to a doctor's appointment,
a dentist appointment
and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and 
inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.

He must also make cookies or cupcakes
for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for
decorating his own assigned house,
planting flowers outside, and keeping it
presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television
when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, 
wear makeup daily, 
adorn
themselves with jewelry, 
wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, 
keep fingernails polished, 
and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks,
the men will have to endure severe 
abdominal cramps, back aches, head aches,
have extreme, unexplained mood swings 
but never once complain or slow down
from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings and
church,
and find time at least once to spend
the afternoon at the park or a similar
setting..

They will need to read a book to the kids
each night and in the morning, 
feed them, 
dress them, 
brush their teeth and 
comb their hair 
by 7:00 am.

A test
will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be
required to know all of the following information:
each child's
birthday,
height, weight,
shoe size, clothes size,
doctor's name,
the child's weight at birth,
length, time of birth,
and length of labor,
each child's favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy,
biggest fear,
and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if...
he still
has enough energy
to be intimate with his spouse
at a moment's
notice.

If the last man does win,
he can play the game over and over and over
again for the next 18-25 years,
eventually earning the right
to be called Mother! 

After you get done laughing,
send this to as many females as
you think will get a kick out of it and
as many men as you think can handle it.
Just don't send it back to me.... 
I'm going to bed.

3 things that must go...

Here are my 3 things that must go...

1.  "Last time I took her to a Professional Photographer"  said by my customer

Really??  Did they have their I am a proffesional photographer certificate framed on the wall.  Or was it because they had a nice camera and a office in there house??  Or maybe because they had a website??

I have been taking pictures of screaming, annoying little brats for over three years now!!!  Every once in a while I actually get a cute kid that is fun to interact with but YOU always get cute pictures from me.  Wether your kid is a devil child or an angel because I know what I am doing!!  I swear the next time someone says this to me I am going to tell them they should go back to the "PROFFESSIONAL" they came from and have them take the pictures because I do not help Jack Asses!!!!

I really do love my job!  I just hate dumb people and let me tell you there are a bunch out there.  I am surprised everyday with the way people act. 

2.  My husband banging the garage door opener against the steering wheel. 

If it doesn't open the first time what makes him think hitting it against the steering wheel or swearing at it will help??  It seems to work for every time when I just push it nicely.  Or better yet he could probably change the batteries and fix the problem at it's core. 

3.  Rude Cashiers

Especially the one that works graveyard or early mornings at Maceys.  Is it my fault you have a crappy job?  I hate that I am here at this hour as well but at least I can smile and tell you to have a nice day.  Seriously where has customer gone.  I have ran into this girl so many times and this I asked her name wrote it down and I am calling them to tell them. 

Family Pictures

Before the wedding we took some family pictures.  I think they turned out pretty cute.  

I would have to say I think we make a pretty good lookin bunch!!

Jaleen and her 4 kids.  Rob and his boys. 

I just LOVE Adelyn in this one. 

It was a fun day filled with pictures, pictures and more pictures...

Rob and Jaleen's Wedding

Todd's dad got married last June.  This weekend they brought up the discs so we could look at all the pictures.  It has been really fun getting to know Jaleen and her family.  She is so sweet and nice to our family and the kids just love her.  The wedding was a lot of fun for everyone.  Adelyn and Ashton especially enjoyed the fire dancers.  Ash said in a very loud and excited voice "MOM they put fire on their tongues and it didn't even start on fire." 

This is Todd's cousin Angela's little boy Jay, teaching Ash his moves.  It was so funny watching these two dance all night long.  Jay is quite the little dancer and has some pretty good moves.  Adelyn and Ashton both love Jay.  They get so excited when we get to go down and see him.

Todd's cousin Mark and his 2 girls came.  The last picture is Jay's mom and dad Angela and Mike.  Angela claims she taught Jay all of her old moves.  Julie and Chad also came with their 3 boys but somehow managed to stay out of all the pictures. 

Top: Rob's sister Jeanie and her mother.  (grandma Sleight)  Middle Left:  Ruth and Rob  Right:  Matt and Grandma  Bottom:  Rob, Jaleen, Bill, (grandpa Sleight) and Ruth

The whole Gang...  Jaleen has 2 Son who are married and 2 daughters who are not yet married.  The little baby girl is her first granddaughter Paige.  Now together they have 9 kids and 3 grand babies. 

 

 

Todd and I just love these pictures of our beautiful kids.  When Todd saw these he asked  "do you think it just sucks for other people when they see our kids cuz they are the cutest kids ever"  I thought that was pretty funny and sweet.  He sure is a proud a daddy.  I love these 2 because they show their little personalities so well!! 

Adelyn was the flower girl and Ash was the ring bearer.  It made them feel so special to be able to be such a big part of grandpa's wedding.  The flower girl and Ring Bearer walking down the isle.  Being so careful not to trip or drop the rings.  They both are a little shy when the spotlight is on them so it took a lot of courage for them to do this.  I was so proud of how well they acted. 

Finally the lovely bride and groom.  It was so nice to see how happy they are together.  They are both such great examples to there children and grandchildren.