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