Three!

Darn that Time! It's gotten away from me again ...

Since when did my beautiful baby girl become old enough to have a 3rd birthday?!!

Since, last weekend is when ...

Happy Birthday to my darling Rina-bo-bina! We love you!

(this wasn't even a beater I used to mix the frosting--I guess things just taste better off of a clean beater-who knew?)

My not-so-pretty butterfly cupcakes.

The big 0-3 :)

Brynn ended up not eating the cupcake after I gave her the first lick. Not even the frosting. She did, however, really enjoy squishing the frosting in her fingers--love this face ... priceless!)

Thanks for the presents! Wish you could have been here to see her open them!

I saved this picture for last cause it cracks me up and shows Carina's personality perfectly.

We love you sweetheart! Hope this year is as wonderful as the last!

We went

to the U2 concert in Salt Lake for our anniversary.

(Mike heard it would be crazily crowded so we showed up REALLY early-- but there was no line for the will call tickets, and no line to get into the concert either--we had lots of random free time waiting for everything to start)

Mike used to be a HUGE U2 fan.

Here's the crazy stage (there are really no words to describe it other than it was Huge and Incredible)

I knew about 8 songs total ... (okay had at least recognized about 8 songs), including the 3 I knew from The Fray who opened the concert.

And is was realllllllly loud. I can't imagine what it would have been like to actually have been standing next to the speakers--crazy!

Luckily, before U2 actually started the gal in front of us gave us some earplugs ... Thank you random stranger!

We did not bring our nice camera so these are about the best shots we got--that stage was intense though!

Be sad you missed it cause it was a lot of fun!

Memories

I love when miracles happen ...

6 years ago today I married my best friend.

Cliche but so true.

When we got married we didn't have a 'song' but a few months after I was in the car with Mike listening to the radio and this song came on ...

"Head Over Feet" by Alanis Morisette

I had heard this song countless times and (to be honest) didn't love it really. I had no idea actually listening to the words would totally change my mind.

I think it's quite perfect at depicting my relationship with my awesome man.

Thanks for never giving up on me honey.

I think this is the first pic of Mike and I together.

"I had no choice but to hear you
You stated your case time and again
I thought about it "

The triathlon we won together that I talked about in my last post.

"You treat me like I'm a princess

I'm not used to liking that
You ask how my day was"

"You've already won me over in spite of me
And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault"

"Your love is thick and it swallowed me whole
You're so much braver than I gave you credit for
That's not lip service"

"You are the bearer of unconditional things
You held your breath and the door for me
Thanks for your patience"

"You're the best listener that I've ever met
You're my best friend
Best friend with benefits
What took me so long"

"I've never felt this healthy before
I've never wanted something rational
I am aware now
I am aware now"

"You've already won me over in spite of me
And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault"

for time and eternity!

It's all your fault, and I'm grateful every day that you convinced me that we were perfect for each other!

proud

Maybe I should feel bad ...

Cause I'm pretty sure I "tricked" my husband into thinking that I was athletic before we were married.

I recall vividly the first time we met at a ward activity at his apartment complex in Rexburg. I thought he was, "you know, totally the hottest guy in the ward," and I'm sure he was just drawn to me for the fact that I kept staring at him all night. :)

Because, lets face it, since I'd been lifeguarding all that summer before, my super dark tan, and bleach blond hair made me look pretty freaky. But, back to the story ...

I was thrilled when he came over to talk with me and gave him my best flirtations. (not a word, I'm pretty sure, but you get the point.) (oh, wait, now that I'm back from checking the online dictionary it totally is a word: [joke, gibe] and [flighty girl],[a pert young hussey] (bahaha) cheeky behavior, playfully amorous behavior--(just in case you're all curious)).

Annnyway ...

Mike sure wasn't shy and was getting me to brag (a mite) about my awesome swimming skills when he's like, "you must have awesome arm muscles" while squeezing my biceps, proceeded by, "and your leg muscles are probably ripped!" He reached down to give my thigh a quick squeeze--okay, I know what you're all thinking. it was not inappropriate! It was just right above the knee, good grief!

Anyhoo, we chatted (flirted) a bit longer before he went to show me his bike, Princess. Cool I guess. This should have been my first hint that he was into all that, you know, workout stuff.

Fast forward a month or so to Mike convincing me to compete with him in a campus team triathlon. "Only if we don't try to win." "yeah, okay"

Yep, you guessed it. Mike was soooo stinkin' far ahead in the bike leg that we couldn't help but come in 1st place.

I roll my eyes just remembering it--not trying to win, my FOOT!

Then a couple months later when Mike and I were now officially dating and spending every weekend/day/hour with each other and running out of things to do. (as you do in the winter in Rexburg) we got creative. Our weekly dating ritual was to work out together. We did a triathlon every weekend. Spinning bikes, running and swimming in the campus pool. In fact the first time that I EVER dripped sweat was with my honey.

Needless to say, I was at my smallest weight EVER on our wedding day (which was great-I'm not gonna lie) ...

And now, almost 6 years and 3 kids later he definitely knows better than to think I'm into that whole, you know, working out thing. :) But I still try to humor him :)

My motivation starts about the time I start really looking back at those pregnant pictures. You cannot tell me (and make me believe) that I carry all that baby weight in my tummy. So I make some attempts at shedding the "softness" as I like to call it. I feel like I was doing quite well this spring, running 1 mile at a time about twice a week, when Mike asked me to run a 5k with him this past weekend. "why not"

This was the 6th 5k I've now run since my first in 2006.

And, going from running 1 mile at a time (and dying), to running 2 miles at a time twice the week before the race (and really dying), to running 3.1 miles Saturday morning, I think I've done pretty darn good.

I didn't even stop. Thanks to Amber who ran/jogged with me. I just hope it was at least remotely hard for her too--probably not though.

And a thank you to my babysitters at home--you are wonderful. And you did my DISHES! I'm still astounded by that. Thank you!

And I ran with 2 celebrities. From this season's Biggest Loser. I only beat one of them --maybe next time.

In fact, Mike informed me last night that I came in 91st out of 98. To which I was like, "dang, I was sure there were more people behind me than that!" He corrected himself, the first page only went up to 98, there were ACTUALLY 194. And Amber and I tied so we're really 90th out of 194. :) I'll take all the help I can get.

And you wanna know who else ran with us?

You guessed it! Mike!

And he did, really well, but I don't want to brag ...

actually, I do!

He did AWESOME!!! He got 2nd place overall!

And he was leading the race for the first 2 miles, by himself.

Way to go babe, you workout obsessed, nutrition conscious, hard-as-rock muscles, weighs-practically-less-than-me, 'PLACES' IN PRACTICALLY EVERY RACE HE ENTERS man of mine!

And he only had a week's notice too.

Almost makes you sick doesn't it?

Here's a link to his blog, if you interested in his version.

Mike's blog

Way to go Mike!

And way to go to me too! I can run 3.1 miles without stopping!

Booyah!

And since this is a ridiculously long post again, here's a cute pic of the girls.

Happy Mother's Day!

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." ~Rajneesh

Thanks to my husband and my girls for making me a mother.

And to my mother (and all the mothers in my life) who have taught me to be one!

Love you all!

And, a bit of news...

Brynn has a tooth!!!!

Well, teeth actually, the second one came in yesterday (thank goodness)

A story

It was a beautiful cloudless night ...

Smooth dresser and a sweet talker, Mikey "Chuckles" Sackleyetti, is out with his girl Trixi enjoying a night out on the town. His good looks and quick wit have always brought him good fortune, and he is an expert at "taking care of" people who end up on his bad side.

Clasped to the arm of her main squeeze Chuckles, Trixi Murrioni, beautiful, sultry, and secretive, stays close as conversation rolls, drinks empty and cards come up profitable.

It's a good night for Chuckles.

Looking spiffy and feeling lucky, Chuckles leads Trixi through the club and into a dark alley.

They talk.

What an evening it has been, but it's time to head home.

"Hey doll, you're looking mighty pretty, how 'bout we make tonight worth your while?" He pulls her close ..."

"Okay, Mikey, but just one little kiss ..."

Before the deed is done he catches a glint in the corner of his eye. . .

His face transforms to astonishment, "You double-crosser!"

He pushes her away and brings his hands up to defend himself. No time for his brass knuckles or tommy gun now ...

Trixi's quicker than she looks and jabs before Chuckles is even thinking straight.

Right in the kisser, and again straight to his gut.

Before she has time to hit him again he takes off down the alley. If only he could make it out onto the street before the old broad, he might make it ...

He's running with all he's got, taking no thought for his form and only hoping his spiffy shoes won't slow him down tonight ...

But he's too slow. Trixi pulls out her 9 mm (with silencer) and takes aim.

It's too late for Chuckles Sackleyetti now. He drops to the ground, unmoving.

"Whatt'd you expect Mikey," Trixi whispers as she drops down next to his lifeless body. "You think I hung on your arm all this time fo you' attentions?" "My daddy taught me bette' than that sugar."

She reaches into his pocket and finds his wallet, gaping after a lucky night of gambling ...

"Thanks Mikey baby, you know, we just never would'da worked out you and me," she stashes the cash ...

"Don't worry honey, I'll find my own way home."

She saunters away.

THE END

As I'm sure you noticed, this is NOT a true story. And not even a very good story at that but I still had quite a good time writing it :)

If you couldn't tell this weekend was the 2nd Chance Prom in our town. I asked Mike to go and he was forced to willingly complied. He got a new suit and a haircut and then had to clean the house and watch the girls while I (and my sister and some friends) did hair, nails and makeup for 2 hours in the other room--purely prom tradition.

Then after a delicious catered meal we got to take some prom pictures. Luckily we are friends with some photographers who just "happened" to have a backdrop of a dark alley on hand for a school dance they're shooting next weekend. So we had a ball with it. Actually, Mike had a ball with it and I was just posed for the shots (I'm not a very convincing actress--oh well). I'm pretty sure we didn't get out of there with even one normal picture of the two of us, but it's okay cause it was funny.

After things were put away we headed off to the dance where we danced the night away till the early morning hours uh... danced till 10:30 then went home and zonked. (come on, when the kids are sleeping, we need to be sleeping).

Here are a few more pictures.

this one is as close to normal as we got

It was a blast and I hope we can do it again next year!!!